Alicante’s picturesque countryside is perfect for exploring on two wheels. Far from the hustle and bustle of cities and seaside resort, enjoy the unspoilt tranquillity of pretty inland villages and take time to sample the traditional Spanish cuisine and culture.
Why Alicante is the Perfect Holiday Destination for Cyclists
When temperatures are lowest in the year, i.e. in winter and spring, getting on your bike in and around Alicante, Spain may be the best way to experience this famously sunny region.
The Alicante area is a popular destination for both amateur and professional cyclists. The climate is perfect, the roads are so much quieter than during the main season, there’s a wealth of cycle routes in Alicante for all abilities and the terrain is varied.
From absolute beginners to seasoned pros, challenging mountain trails to fast sprints (or slow pootles) along flat coastal roads, it’s all there for the taking.
You can hire a bike for a few hours, prebook a bike in advance and collect on your arrival or, of course, take your own.
Best Cycling Routes in Alicante for Beginners
If you are a cycling newcomer or haven’t been on a bike in some time, start by choosing a gentle route that takes you along Alicante’s coast and get comfortable in the saddle. Most towns in the Alicante region have put in place cycle lanes so you can set off safely on two wheels without having to worry about pedestrians or traffic.
Why not go on a family outing on bikes, enjoy great views and fresh air while getting some exercise?
Source: Elevent Suite
Here are three recommended easy bike rides you may like to try in Alicante:
Denia Family Ride (Level: 1/5)
A nice, gentle ride that cyclists of all ages and abilities will enjoy. Start on the Denia via verde (Green Route), a disused railway line that’s nice and flat, among orange groves and with beautiful views of the Montgo mountain. Go through the Pego Nature Reserve, which well known for its marshes and rice fields, to El Verger. Or turn right about halfway and head towards Denia’s Las Marinas beaches. Total cycling distance is only about 6 km, perfect for all the family.
Pink Torrevieja Family Ride (Level: 1/5)
Another pleasant and not too strenuous ride for all riders. Choose a different Green Route to take you further south to the busy seaside resort of Torrevieja. There are two salt lagoons – one blue, one pink – on the outskirts of Torrevieja. Choose the pink one and admire flamingos and other wild fowl as you enjoy the breeze in your hair. Another disused railway line and suitable for beginners, it’s a great place to stop for a lakeside picnic. Covering nearly 4,000 acres, the Torrevieja and La Mata Lagoons are areas of outstanding beauty and enjoy protection as nature reserves.
Source: Wikimedia
Cruising Moraira and Pedreguer Day Ride (Level: 2/5)
From Lliber, head south and descend on wonderfully smooth tarmac through Benissa and down to the coast road. When you get to Moraira, take a refreshments break and admire the views across the coast before heading back inland. Go north and around Montgo National Park, stopping occasionally for a photo opportunity of the breathtaking scenery. After lunch, continue up a few gentle climbs to Pedreguer.
The return journey goes via the pretty village of Alcalali and the Xalo valley, past the gorge and meandering river. The total cycling distance is 73 km with a maximum elevation of 870 metres.
Intermediate and Advanced Cycling Routes in Alicante
More experienced cyclists will want to enjoy the thrill of riding along the paths and tracks to explore the countryside away from the coast. The Costa Blanca region has a number of BTT mountain biking centres with around 100 km of trails and circuits for all-terrain and mountain bikers. These are well sign posted routes through some of the region’s most breathtaking scenery.
Here are 3 varied rides for more experienced cyclists in Alicante:
Tour the Jalon Valley
The Vall de Pop BTT Centre in Parcent is set in a mountainous region that is known for great wine making while offering popular and often challenging cycle routes. On the way up into the mountains you’ll pass historic villages and farms, orchards and almond groves and, of course, plenty of terraced vineyards. In fact, it’s a great place for a cycling holidays in Spain.
There’s a choice of 9 routes (and a total distance of 260 km if you cycle them all). The easiest route is only 10 km – a gentle ride through the countryside to the pretty little village of Murla. The toughest challenge is up along, winding roads up to the Sierra de Bernia mountains – a 28 km day ride with splendid views and a great restaurant rewarding you when you get to the top.
Source: Alpavista
Explore Alicante’s Coast
If you don’t fancy tackling the mountains, how about a 26 km ride along flat coastal roads, taking in the scenery and the long sandy beaches around Alicante?
Start at Alicante’s Playa de San Juan, then head north through El Campello – home to some excellent seafood restaurant, just saying – and to Coveta Fuma for a spot of sunbathing in one of the peaceful little coves. If the return journey is too much for you, just hop on the little tram train and travel back along the coast to Alicante in a little over half an hour.
Sample the Tour of Spain
For serious cyclists with plenty of stamina for uphill challenges, how about experiencing part of the route of the Vuelta a Espana? The historic village of Abdet is the start/finish of this 77 km circular route that’s not for the faint hearted. The journey takes you through Sella, Finestrat, La Nucia and Callosa d’en Sarria, all pretty towns, before you arrive in Guadalest, also known as the Eagle’s Nest. Why? Take a look around and admire the spectacular views and you’ll understand.
Prebook a bike in advance and collect on your arrival or take your own.
