The Trip
On the 18th May 2025, I will cycle around the Province of Valencia and Aragon. The cycle will see me taking a mainly coastal route northwards visiting Guadalest, Pego, Valencia and Castello de la Plana.
From there, I will say goodbye to the coast and cycle through Parc Natural Del Desert de Les Palmes with gradually more climbing the further I get inland. Visiting stunning towns like Segorbe, Cofrentes,... I will have ample opportunities to swim in the clear rivers. An example is the town of Montanejos where there are some stunning swimming opportunities. Reaching the towns of Teruel, Albarracin (Spain's most beautiful town) and Cuenca, I will visit the many attractions in these towns located off the beaten track. After these towns, I will head in some of Spain's most deserted area where I will visit many of the inland natural parcs heading back southwards towards Alicante. |
The Stages
Day# 1: Alicante to Calle D'Or (38.8 km) - Ascent: 300m - Descent: 300m
Day# 1 will see me arriving in Alicante at 1pm. Plan is to leave the airport around 2pm after having ensembled the bike.
One of the busier routes of the trip, i will be navigating through Alicante and along the coast towards Benidorm A mainly coastal route will bring me towards Calle D'Or where i will enjoy my first night in Spain. |
Day# 2: Calle D'or to Cullera (125 km) - Ascent: 1560m - Descent: 1560m
Day# 2 will bring me to Villajoyosa, a colourful coastal town. From here , I will cycle to Benidorm which I will leave quickly behind me heading further inland.
From here, i will be visiting towns like Polop and Tarbena which are nestled in the mountains. Plan is to go for a swim in les fonts d'Algar, a popular destination to experience a refreshing swim in a mountain river. Climbing higher, i will cross Col de Rates and make a fast decent towards Pego. In Pego, I will visit the ruins of Ambra Castle and the San Antonio Abad Chapel. A last push will seeen me arriving in Cullera where I will stay for the night. |
Day# 3: Cullera to Segorbe (104 km) - Ascent: 650m - Descent: 280m
Day# 3 will be my last day along the coast. The morning will start off with a cycle through Parc Natural de l'Albufera, Spain's largest freshwater lagoon spanning more than 2,800 hectares. It provides shelter for up to 300 different bird species and is surrounded by marshes and paddy fields. During the floods of October '24, extensive damage was done to this ecosystem.
Reaching Valencia, i will visit some of the cities major tourist attractions, although won't spend to much time in the city this time round. As one of Spain's most cycle friendly cities, navigating through the city should be easy enough. Reaching Sagunto, I will visit the Roman theatre, a national monument. From here onwards, I will say goodbye to the coast and cycle along the Via Verde Ojos Negro towards Segorbe where I will stay for the night. Plan is to visit the castle and replenish calories. |
Day# 4: Segorbe to Montanejos (73.7km) - Ascent: 1680m - Descent: 1580m
Day# 4 is a relative short day where i will be cycling through the stunning Parc Natural de la Serra d'Espada. This impressive mountainscape is one of the best preserved natural areas in the Valencia regiuon.
The scenery in Sierra de Espadán is defined by countless freshwater springs, gorges cutting deep into the terrain and cork oak forests. The freshwater springs are perfect for a dip. An early arrival in Montanejos will be used for swimming and hiking. The Montanejos thermal baths are nestled among towering canyon walls. Plan is to hike the Los Estrechos route, a hiking trail that leads you through dramatic gorges and dreamy riverscapes, with Chillapájaros Canyon a standout natural sight. |
Day# 5: Montanejos to Teruel (87.4 km) - Ascent: 1510m - Descent: 1060m
Day# 5 is another short distance cycle that will see me climbing higher towards Teruel.
Along the route, i will visit stunning towns like Rubielos de Mora and Mora de Rubielos. Rubielos de Mora is one of the most attractive towns in Teruel. The town centre is a walled enclosure with beautiful ancestral homes, picturesque corners and magnificent buildings. The town was awarded the “Europa Nostra” award in 1983, in recognition of the restoration work carried out by the inhabitants. By late afternoon, I will reach the town of Teruel. This medieval town has a stunning historic centre where you find stunning buildings. Examples of these are the cathedral tower, along with those of San Salvador, San Martín and San Pedro are the jewels of a group of Mudejar monuments declared a World Heritage Site. |
Day# 6: Teruel to Albarracin (53.4 km) - Ascent: 740m - Descent: 520m
The shortest day of the tour will see me arriving early in Albarracin. And there is a reason for this, named Spain's most beautiful town, it requires a couple of hours.
Albarracín has preserved all its Islamic and medieval flavour with its old quarter been declared a Property of Cultural Interest. With its imposing fortified enclosure, the town is just stunning. The steep streets, including the Plaza Mayor, are particularly remarkable. It houses the town hall, which offers an impressive viewpoint over the Guadalaviar River. Plan is to visit the Diocesan Museum which exhibits a valuable collection of Flemish tapestries. |
Day# 7: Albarracin to Cuenca (111 km) - Ascent: 1360 m - Descent: 1490m
Another stunning day in the saddle where i will cycle through Parque Natural Serrania de Cuenca.
The Cuenca mountain range stands out for the existence of a very unique landscape, in which fascinating geological structures can be admired. By the evening, I will reach the stunning city of Cuenca where i will visit the many stunning buildings. This world heritage city of cobbled street and ancient buildings is world-renowned for its hanging houses. It’s worth climbing the hills and winding streets into the centre of this town between the gorges of the Júcar and the Huécar, but also visit Plaza Mayor where you can find the town hall and Cathedral. |
Day# 9: Landete to Requena (118 km) - Ascent: 1890 m - Descent: 2180m
Day 9 will bring me through the stunning but remote region. The route will see me cycling through the stunning Parque Natural De Chera-Sot de Chera
a park defined by deep gorges, steep mountains and fertile valleys. It is home to a variety of plant and animal species, some of which are endemic to the region. The park offers numerous hiking trails that allow visitors to explore its natural beauty and enjoy panoramic views. End destination is Requena, a town with a historic old town that has been declared propoerty of cultural interest. The area around La Villa runs through narrow streets with houses bearing coats-of-arms, charming squares and typical houses decorated with tiles and elaborate wrought ironwork. The castle and keep were built by the Moors and, at present, house the Wine Harvest Festival Museum. |
Day# 10: Requena to Xativa (121 km) - Ascent: 1870 m - Descent: 2420m
Day 10 will be another day that brings me to remote parts of Valencia.
Along the route, i will visit the village of Cofrentes where i will visit the castle and the Cofrentes volcano (Agras Hill), the only recent volcano in Valencia. Throughout the day, i will be cycling along the many gravel roads. By early evening, i should arrive at my destination, the bneautiful town of Xativa. Xativa has an imposing castle that i will visit. Most outstanding, with 30 towers and four fortified gates, the huge castle is the result of the fusion of an Iberian-Roman fortress and a later Arab one. Running down from the castle are the walls which until the 10th century enclosed the Roman city. A second wall was added later which took in what today is the historic quarter. |
Day# 11: Xativa to Elche (130 km) - Ascent: 1350 m - Descent: 1420m
A long day in the saddle will bring me through a diverse landscape where the the many natural parcs of the area will provide me with stunning views.
I will be visiting stunning villages like Bocairent,.... along the route. By evening, i will be staying in Elche . Plan is to visit the historic quarter of Elche, which preserves part of its Muslim past and Baroque splendour. Its palm tree grove, a World Heritage Site, is also due a visit. |