Spain is a dream destination for cycling enthusiasts. Its diverse geography and favorable climate make it perfect for year-round bike tours. The country’s preserved natural environment is remarkable: Spain holds the record for the most Biosphere Reserves in the world (53) and boasts 16 National Parks.
Walks and itineraries in Spain
Spain offers some of Europe’s most scenic and well-marked cycling routes, including the famous Camino de Santiago with its many variations. These include:
- The French Way, starting in the Pyrenees.
- The Portuguese Way, departing from Porto or Lisbon.
- The Inland Basque Way, crossing the Basque Country and connecting with the French Way.
- The Camino Lebaniego, a branch of the Northern Way that ventures into Cantabria’s stunning Picos de Europa mountains.
Other notable routes include:
The Camino del Cid, inspired by the medieval knight Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, which explores inland Spain from Burgos to Valencia.
The Silver Route (Ruta de la Plata), tracing the ancient Roman road from Seville to Gijón across Andalusia, Extremadura, Castile and León, and Asturias.
Spain is home to more than 3,200 kilometers of Vías Verdes—decommissioned railway lines transformed into cycling paths. Over 120 routes are available, ranging from short 1-kilometer paths to 100-kilometer adventures. Complementing these are Caminos Naturales, offering more than 10,300 kilometers of trails through old railways, canals, and historical transhumance routes.
For long-distance enthusiasts, the EuroVelo network connects Spain to the broader European cycling route system, including EuroVelo 8, which stretches from Cádiz to Athens along the Mediterranean coast.
Read more: www.spain.info
The Valencia Region
Valencia’s cultural and natural heritage is of astounding beauty and variety. Villages perched on hilltops, walled cities with a strong medieval character, seaside residential centers, spas, hermitages, monasteries, castles, snow wells, prehistoric caves with rock paintings, royal sheep-tracks, ancient mule tracks and endless hiking opportunities: these are the centuries-old evidences of a man-made landscape that fascinates the visitor. With more than 2,500 hours of sunshine a year and an average temperature between 12° and 20° in winter and between 24° and 32° in summer, the Valencian territory allows cycling 365 days a year.
Valencian landscapes
Virtually all types of landscapes, excluding high mountains and tropical forests, The territories are characterized by dense forests in the north and inland from Castellón, Valencia, and Alicante, there are beech forests, tejeras, and forests of holm oaks, cork oaks, and junipers, in a good state of preservation, as well as sub-desert landscapes of very high botanical value. The peaks reach nearly 2,000 meters and are covered with high-altitude vegetation. There is no shortage of extensive wetlands embraced by dunes overlooking the sea.
In addition, there are areas exposed to heavy rainfall and brushy areas on the edge of dryness, cliffs overflowing with vegetation but also lonely coves and, of course, wide beaches on the Mediterranean.
An extraordinary diversity due to the abrupt irregularity of geography, its dichotomy rather than its altitude: mountain-coast, hills and valleys, sun and shade, snow and sea. This diversity of ecosystems forms a unique natural environment, rich in more than three thousand different species of plants, including many exclusive endemic species. These places also provide a haven for countless birds during their annual migration and protected nature parks that can be explored leisurely by bicycle.
In the European context, the Valencia Region is one of the main and largest mountainous territories. In particular, the region of Ports, inland from Castellón, is the second most mountainous region in Spain, and the region of Alicante does not differ much.
For those who love MTB
Even without exceeding two thousand meters, the complexity of its structural systems, steep slopes, extensive massifs and intricate cliffs make the Valencia Region an ideal area for mountain biking.
The mountains, which occupy nearly three-quarters of the territory, open like a large amphitheater to the Mediterranean. A narrow coastal strip hosts the most inhabited plains: the Plana de Castellón, the Llano de Vinaroz, the Huerta de València, the Ribera del Júcar, and the Vega Baja del Segura.
These are also the most fertile agricultural areas and where the greatest urban concentration is found. This coastal plain is surrounded by mountain ranges and massifs originating in the Cordillera Iberica to the northwest and the Cordillera Betica to the south. The confluence of the two great peninsular mountain ranges is the origin of this geographic complexity, the offshoots of which reach to the seashore.
Valencia’s bicycle tourism offerings
Valencia offers everything a bicycle tourist wants to find on a trip. Mountain passes are a paradise for road cyclists, and inland towns, villages, and valleys are ideal for bikepacking tourism. The Valencia Region ‘s good accessibility by road, train and air undoubtedly facilitates tourism at all levels, but it is even more conducive to cycling by being equipped with an extensive network of infrastructure, which allows for the safe practice of this mode of excursion.
From fully equipped MTB Centers, to Green Routes and cycling tourism projects such as the Vall d’Albaida, with detailed routes and quality accommodations that specialize in sports tourism, the Valencia Region is at the forefront of cycling infrastructure endowments in Europe. There is practically no municipality or association of municipalities that has not signaled and promoted bicycle paths on its territory.
With a wide range ofaccommodations and all sorts of services tailored to the needs of cyclists, as well as a wide range of companies specializing in active tourism that allow you to contract specific or tailor-made products, it is easy to find the right fit for your cycling vacation.
By extending their stay, cycle tourists can access many cultural offerings, other sports, and outdoor activities (kayaking, hiking, canyoning, climbing, windsurfing, diving, or cultural visits) that can turn their stay into an unforgettable experience.
Last but not least, gastronomy: there is no better combination of cycling and the Mediterranean diet than that of regaining strength in top-quality restaurants that offer an ideal balance for the athlete’s diet.
Areas not to be missed
A bike trip to the Costa Blanca represents a real pleasure for those who love cycling. Cycling is one of the most established products in the province of Alicante, on the Costa Blanca, which reveals impressive mountains, extensive beaches and excellent road conditions. A wide range of routes in fact cater to all kinds of audiences.
This, together with the wide range of specialized services, also makes the area an ideal destination for internationally renowned cyclists who choose it for their training and pre-season. The Costa Blanca reflects the spirit of improvement that is admired in major sporting events such as the “Vuelta Ciclista a España.”
Benidorm, with its varied geography and mild climate, also allows for year-round cycling. The roads and trails that wind between the coast and inland offer routes for all levels, beginners and experts alike, who can enjoy routes that climb the surrounding hills or skirt the charming coves and golden beaches. This variety of landscapes not only tests the endurance and skill of cyclists but also offers breathtaking panoramic views, combining sport with exploration of the natural and cultural beauty of the region.
In addition, Benidorm stands out for its excellent infrastructure dedicated to cyclists, including numerous specialized accommodations, bike rental stores, and workshops equipped for every need. The city actively promotes cycling tourism with events, guided tours and marked routes that allow people to discover lesser-known but equally fascinating corners of the area. This commitment to supporting the cycling community makes Benidorm an ideal destination not only for those seeking a sporting challenge but also for those who wish to experience an active vacation, immersed in nature and local culture, exploring the region on two wheels with a unique sense of freedom and adventure.
The Green Ways of Valencia
The Valencia Region is traversed by 13 greenways for about 200 km. By walking through them, the traveler can learn about the history, culture and nature of the Valencian area. They can be found along the coast, inland, in the middle of the mountains, or in the middle of vegetable gardens or orange groves. Taking them up is the best way to discover the Valencia Region, following your own pace and time.
For more information: cicloturismo.comunitatvalenciana.com
Aragon
Aragon is an ideal area for mountain biking and bicycle touring because of its geographic and scenic diversity, extensive network of back roads and other types of trails, and climate. There are trails of all levels, many suitable for families as well. Excitement and adventure are the ingredients of routes in the Pyrenees, the rugged Iberian mountains of Zaragoza and Teruel, and the surprising plains of the Ebro Valley.
The website collects the 300 routes that represent Aragon’s possibilities for mountain bikers.
Aragon has 8 MTB centers, large areas that offer marked trails for the best mountain experiences. The trails are divided into different levels depending on the user’s skills: beginners, families/friends, enthusiasts… with incredible downhill, enduro and cross country trails. Aragon is also a reference among BTT enthusiasts for a number of internationally renowned trials, such as Quebrantahuesos, Orbea Monegros, BTT Trans Highlands, Trans-Nomad, Calcenada, Vuelta al Moncayo GR 260 and TowCar Puerto Gorribaza.
And, of course, there are the great bike paths, such as the Transpirenaica and the Ebro Natural Trail, and emblematic greenways (Greenways), such as the Val de Zafán that ends in the Mediterranean Sea, or the Ojos Negros, the most extensive in Spain. In addition, Aragon is affected by the Eurovelo “Iberica”route from Lisbon to Toulouse , which runs through Aragonese territory from south to north.
Tenerife
The island offers spectacular road cycling, mountain biking and e-biking trails 365 days a year, always accompanied by spring-like temperatures.
Tenerife is a well-known destination for its privileged climate, unique natural spaces and gastronomic, cultural and historical offerings. Another key ingredient is the bet on sustainability, which has led it to be recognized as Destination Biosphere for developing several projects in the areas of social, environmental and economic sustainability.
In recent years, the island has increasingly become a destination of choice for those wishing to enjoy outdoor activities and sports, particularly those related to two wheels.
Mountain bikers have about 200 kilometers of trails that cross the entire island and, in particular, the highlands of Tenerife such as the Corona Forestal. A comprehensive network of trails allows for multiple combinations that can be reached by public transportation or by car.
The island’s bicycle network suitable for road cycling is extensive, very well maintained, and often in sparsely traveled areas traversed by meandering paths. A sure fun for those who enjoy this type of cycling. And even professional cyclists know that the island is an excellence for training: every year many of them come to Tenerife to prepare for participation in the Tour de France, the World Championships and the Olympic Games. It is not strange, nor is it rare, that one may encounter some along one’s path.
Competition-wise, Tenerife is home to some well-established bike races, such as the Vuelta al Teide, a Granfondo run in May around Spain’s highest peak, Teide – 3,715 meters above sea level. There are 175 kilometers in the long version and 95 kilometers in the Half Teide mode. This race is also an ideal excuse to visit the island.
Services in Tenerife
Tenerife’s attractiveness also comes through services, such as its excellent direct or stopover air connections in Spain. And what about the overnight stay? The island is home to some of Europe’s best four- and five-star hotels, boutique hotels, and agritourisms, including some excellences such as the Parador of Teide National Park.
In particular, cycling enthusiasts and professionals have the opportunity to stay overnight in bike-friendly facilities, which offer specific services: from space to safely store bicycles to repair shops and bicycle rentals of all kinds.
Rounding out the bicycle touring offerings are companies specializing in bicycle touring services that provide equipment and advice. These services include local bicycle tour guides. These are experts who know how to tell about the area, point out where to stop to admire the view, explain the most interesting places of island heritage, and, last but not least, show where to enjoy a traditional lunch or snack.
More information about Tenerife: /www.webtenerife.com/sport
