Guided buggy tour of the Bardenas

With Bardenas Buggies Tour you do the driving. Each buggy is a Can-Am Maverick Sport Max with four approved seats, 1,000 cc and about 100 horsepower, and you travel in a line behind the guide, who drives his own vehicle throughout the route. The company does not rent buggies without a guide, and nobody leaves the authorised tracks: in the natural park it is forbidden and punishable by a fine.

A three-hour morning or a two-hour afternoon

There are two sessions. The morning route runs from 10:00 to 13:00 and the afternoon one from 17:00 to 19:00. The company is based in Valtierra, about 5 km from the park, and sends you the meeting point by GPS when you book; the route starts and ends in the same place. Arrive with time to spare: they ask you to be there at least a quarter of an hour earlier to put on your helmet and listen to the technical and safety briefing.

The route is not fixed. It changes with the day, the state of the tracks and the group, and stops at some of the most striking corners of the Bardena. Each vehicle carries binoculars and a telescope for watching birds, especially raptors, and on the route there is a snack with a drink. There are no toilets on the way.

Who drives and who rides as co-driver

To get behind the wheel you need to be 25 and have held a B licence for at least two years, and bring the original licence. On the longer routes driver and co-driver can swap, if both meet the requirements. Children can ride as passengers from age 5, in an approved child seat that the family brings. Nobody gets in under the influence of alcohol. If you are under 25, you are a passenger.

What a buggy costs

You pay per vehicle, not per person:

• Morning route: €320 with one or two people and €390 with three or four.
• Afternoon route: €230 with one or two people and €280 with three or four.

This includes the guide, safety equipment, vehicle and civil liability insurance, fuel, park access and the snack. To book you leave a €100 deposit per buggy. If you cancel more than seven days ahead you get 70% back; with less notice, you lose the deposit. The tour goes ahead even if it rains, with waterproofs for everyone, and is only cancelled if the weather makes it dangerous; then everything is refunded.

Up to four buggies and one 4x4 set off at once, about 20 people. If nobody in the group wants or is able to drive, the same company runs 4x4 tours with a driver-guide.

Clay, sun and helmet: what to wear

The track kicks up clay dust. Go in clothes that can get dirty, closed shoes and several layers, because the temperature changes during the route. Bring a cap that fits under the helmet, sunglasses with a cord, sun cream and at least a litre of water per person; a scarf for your mouth helps. No sandals or jewellery, and keep your phone well secured.

If you are sleeping at Cuevas de Bardenas, you are in Valtierra itself. For lunch afterwards, Restaurante 33 in Tudela is open at midday every day.