Cycling
View route on map

From Moorish castles to Valencia & the Albufera Coast

Tour: SVBV8
Hotel To Hotel Cycling Holiday
Linear Cycling Holiday

See a different side of Spain with this great linear tour right up through unspoilt Valencia, a region of rugged sierras and orange groves, dunescapes and pine forests, wine growing ‘fincas’, market gardens and Moorish castles and the wildlife-rich Laguna de L’Albufera. Starting at Biar’s Arabian castle on the border with the province of Alicante, pedal through the Valencian hinterland valleys, past the historic caves around Bocairent and the heart of the Serra de Mariola nature reserve. Visit Fontanars’ vineyards and the hilltop fortress and Borgia ‘palaces’ of Xàtiva, before moving on to the vast open skies, orange groves, curious paddy fields and the beaches of the coastal city of Cullera.  Finally, coast it up through the Albufera nature reserve, past the sandiest ‘platyes’ to that classic-contemporary combo – the vibrant university city of Valencia. Read More

Destination

Europe, Spain

Start Day

Sun

Board Basis

Bed & Breakfast

Prices from

£851.00

Duration

8 Days, 7 Nights

Availability

Jan - Dec

Tour Grade

Grade 2 (Easy)

Read Overview
Home > Europe > From Moorish castles to Valencia & the Albufera Coast

Overview

From the medieval towns and Moorish castles of the south to the vast lagoon and unspoilt sandy coast around Valencia, this linear tour across the province of Valencia is full of colourful scenic contrasts and real Spanish discoveries. Taking in both the Serra de Mariola and Albufera nature reserves, it makes for a gentle, relaxing holiday on two wheels with plenty of route options to enjoy along the way.

Tour Code:
SVBV8
Activity:
Cycling
Type:
Hotel To Hotel Cycling Holiday, Linear Cycling Holiday
Country:
Europe, Spain
Area:
Valencia
Duration:
8 Days, 7 Nights
Board Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Availability:
Jan - Dec

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive & explore

With its imposing ring of 12th century ramparts and mighty tower, the Moorish castle makes one massive impression when you arrive at Biar. The town lies at the tip of the province of Alicante and the castle rises high above its medieval lanes and alleyways which are dotted with archways, tiny ‘Ermitas’ (hermitages) and fascinating artisan shops selling traditional dolls and pottery. Take time to explore and unravel the layers of history and influences or start your break in true Spanish style with a good glass of local rioja and tasty tapas in one of Biar’s bars or restaurants and simply watch the world go by.

Overnight in Biar.

Day 2 On track to Bocairent

Leaving Biar, the cycle path along a former railway line offers a direct, low-mileage route passing orchards and rural villages en route to Banyeres de Mariola, bordering the Serra de Mariola Nature Reserve. Alternatively, win higher ground by heading into the Serra and be rewarded by beautiful views across the valley. Today’s final stretch leads to Bocairent, home to mysterious caves used by the Moors and ancient ice pits where snow was stored for use throughout the year.

Overnight in Bocairent.

Miles: 14-32 Kms: 24-53

Day 3 Down the line for the Sierra de Mariola Nature Reserve

Why not stay a while in Bocairent to make the most of the magnificent medieval district? With the oldest bull ring in Valencia province and the local monastery carved out of the rock, there are some great discoveries to make, and your next overnight stop in Ontinyent is only a short bike ride away first along the trackbed cycle path, then on small roads including a stretch through a spectacular gorge. Alternatively, head off along a different route alongside groves of fruit trees into La Vallete d’Agres to explore the little villages of Alfafara and Agres in the foothills of the impressive Serra de Mariola.

Overnight in Ontinyent.

Miles: 10-19 Kms: 15-30

Day 4 Vineyards and vistas – Circular tour to Fontanars del Alforins

When you stay in an awesome country setting like this, it’s no wonder that a day just drinking in the Mediterranean sunshine and pleasant rural views from the side of the pool has a certain appeal. Take time out today if you wish or make the short ride past grain fields and olive groves to the vineyards around Fontanars del Alforins. The historic Valencian mansion houses here will be sure to give you a taste for the place – some are now wine cellars! – before pedalling back to your very comfortable hotel to make the most of its truly delicious menu.

Miles: 25 Kms: 40

Day 5 Simply gorgeous – en route to noble Xàtiva

Time to pick your way through apricot and almond groves, the persimmon plantations and time-honoured vineyards towards the historic textiles town of Ontinyent, then on via tiny hamlets to the shores of the Bellùs lake. The landscape is captivating here, rugged and rural, marked by ‘azuts’ (water division dams) and old watermills. Pedal onwards towards the richly historic town of Xàtiva, following a traffic-free path through the Albaida river gorge with its Neolithic cave dwellings and Roman aqueduct. Xàtiva bears the stamp of infamous Borgia family with its impressive collection of noblemen’s houses, often known as mansions or ‘palaces’. Most have small attic arches, designed to air the stored grain, iron balconies, tiny look-out windows and a cooling inner courtyard. Take a walk down the Calle de Montcada, check out Alarcón Palace, now the town’s courthouse or the Royal Monastery de Santa Clara. And if all that is simply not enough culture for one day, you can always look up to the massive floodlit castle perched high above the roof tops at night or simply sit and watch the world go by from one of the many bars set around the historic marketplace.

Overnight in Xàtiva.

Miles: 22 Kms: 35

Day 6 Along the ‘orange road’ to Cullera

You might want to squeeze in a gentle walk around the old town, before you say goodbye to Xàtiva and head out through the orange groves this morning. It’s the year-round sunshine and region’s Mediterranean climate which simply makes the fruit so good in this part of Spain – and the cycling so sweet! The terrain makes for a gentle journey too, along the floor of the valley where the soil and dry stone walls lining the country lanes are almost as orangey-red as Valencia’s famous sunsets. Part of your gentle journey follows the pilgrimage route which once linked monastic sites in this area, so be sure to stop and explore the imposing monastery at Simat de la Valldigna. Finally, you’ll be sure to work up an appetite as you pedal through the rice fields to the coastal spot of Cullera. Time for a moment on the beach here before risotto or paella anyone?

Overnight in Cullera

Miles: 34 Kms: 55

Day 7 The Albufera nature reserve & coast to Valencia 

Two route options today with the longer one leading you along the banks of the River Xúquer at the start of the day. Either way, expect a day of real contrasts as you pedal out across the flatlands of the Albufera nature reserve towards the sand dunes and pine forests of the coast, then up to the vibrant university city of Valencia.

One of the most valuable eco-systems in the Mediterranean, the Albufera is a wonderful haven for birdlife, home to rice paddy fields and citrus groves and, at 3000 hectares, the most vast and magical lagoon. Stop off at the waterside village of El Palmer, where red-rimmed little sailboats deliver the catch almost directly into restaurant kitchens, so the red mullet and magnificent paellas on the menu just couldn’t get any fresher! A boat trip out onto the lagoon is a cool way to while away an hour or so and get a bird’s eye view of the waterfowl, but on this part of your tour it’s always good to keep the binoculars topmost in the panniers.

Head up next along the pine forests of the soft, sandy coast, past the line of individual beaches or ‘platjes’ and the world slowly gathers momentum until it reaches the buzz of bustling Valencia. Don’t miss the busy market hall, a fiesta of colour and delicious local fare, or park up in the Turia Gardens for some time out with tapas plus great views of the town’s historic monuments along the old river valley and on towards the striking contemporary architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences.

Overnight in the old quarter of Valencia.

Miles: 28 / 34 Kms: 46 / 56

Day 8 Depart after breakfast

Depart after breakfast, or take time for a last wander round Valencia’s historic streets or perhaps a visit to the cathedral or Museum of Fine Arts alongside the Viveros Gardens.

Extra nights can be booked to allow more time to explore Biar or Valencia at your leisure.

Dates & Prices

Download Prices

For tour start days/dates, seasons and all prices, please click on the PRICES button above

PRICE INCLUDES

En suite accommodation as described with buffet/continental breakfast (prices based on two adults sharing)

Hire of hybrid bicycle and ancillary equipment (one pannier, one mapholder per couple, odometer, lock & puncture repair equipment)

Luggage transfer between hotels

Local assistance on call (although puncture repair is excluded)

Information pack with detailed joining instructions and daily route overviews sent out approximately 2 weeks before departure so you can plan ahead and look forward to your cycling adventure

Detailed route notes and maps (1:50,000) with marked routes supplied on arrival

GPS tracks available free of charge on request

Please note that the price EXCLUDES

Costs of getting to and from the tour area

Accommodation Options

Selected 4 star hotels in Biar, Xàtiva and València; 3 star hotels in Bocairent and Cullera and a 3 star guest house in Ontinyent (2 nights).

Options:

Upgraded hotels are available in Ontinyent, Xàtiva, El Saler (in place of Cullera) and València.

We are pleased to discuss details on request

More Information

Useful websites, travel information and tips to help you plan your journey to and from the country and location of your holiday.

HOW TO GET THERE

Request Booking