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Bárcena Dam on the Sil River – Bárcena Dam loop from Cubillos del Sil

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Bike touring routes & trails

Bárcena Dam on the Sil River – Bárcena Dam loop from Cubillos del Sil

Hard

riders

Bárcena Dam on the Sil River – Bárcena Dam loop from Cubillos del Sil

04:03

47.0km

1,020m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 13, 2026

Tips

Includes a very steep uphill segment

You may need to push your bike.

After 17.3 km for 712 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

890 m

Cubillos de Sil

Highlight • Settlement

Cubillos is a town halfway between urban and rural, with extensive irrigated crops fed by the Bárcena reservoir, but with a marked presence of the Compostilla II Thermal Power Plant, in operation from 1972 to June 2020.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.74 km

Bárcena Dam on the Sil River

Highlight • Monument

The Bárcena reservoir is a water dam located in the course of the Sil River, between Santa Marina del Sil and Ponferrada, in the Spanish region of El Bierzo. For its construction and commissioning in 1961, the towns of Bárcena del Río and Posada del Río were evacuated, whose inhabitants were relocated to a newly built town called Bárcena del Bierzo. The works began in 1955 and involved the modification of the railway route of the Minero Siderúrgica de Ponferrada company (MSP Railway) or Ponferrada-Villablino Railway.
If you visit the area, do not hesitate to explore this impressive reservoir. 🌊⚡🏞️

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.81 km

Bárcena Dam

Highlight • Structure

At this point we cross the Bárcenas dam that gives us a beautiful view of the reservoir. It is worth deviating for a moment from our route to go up to the viewpoint of the dam with incredible views of the 2 sides of the dam.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

20.8 km

View of the Bárcena Reservoir

Highlight • Viewpoint

Postcard stamp that this path offers us near Peña de la Riestra, in the mountains of the town of Congosto. An authentic marvel for mountain biking enthusiasts near Ponferrada.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

29.8 km

View from Santuario Virgen de la Peña

Highlight • Viewpoint

36.8 km

Road by the Bárcena Reservoir and Sil River towards Congosto

Highlight • Cycleway

Incredible forested landscape quiet road by the Bárcena Reservoir and the Sil river towards Congosto.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

39.3 km

Bárcena Reservoir (Sil River)

Highlight • Lake

The Bárcena reservoir is located in the Sill river valley in the Bierzo region. The reservoir was built in 1960 to harness the power of the river's water to produce electricity. During the summer you can enjoy swimming and water sports along the reservoir.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

44.3 km

View of the Bárcena Reservoir and the Compostilla II power plant

Highlight • Viewpoint

Road next to the reservoir that also borders the Compostilla II Thermal Power Plant. This plant was fueled by coal and was cooled by the water from the reservoir. It was closed and disconnected from the electricity grid in June 2020 due to its high polluting impact.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

47.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

24.2 km

12.8 km

5.54 km

4.46 km

Surfaces

18.3 km

14.4 km

14.1 km

113 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 3 July

38°C

14°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Bárcena Dam on the Sil River – Bárcena Dam loop from Cubillos del Sil

Cubillos de Sil

Bárcena Dam on the Sil River

Bárcena Dam

View of the Bárcena Reservoir

View from Santuario Virgen de la Peña

Road by the Bárcena Reservoir and Sil River towards Congosto

Bárcena Reservoir (Sil River)

View of the Bárcena Reservoir and the Compostilla II power plant

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