Would you like to discover Spain by bike? Here we show you 8 cycling routes that will allow you to discover the most fascinating corners of the peninsula
We have selected 8 cycle routes, in which you can travel the peninsula enjoying unique experiences. Likewise, through these itineraries you will get to know the most attractive places in Spain, admiring its monuments, its traditions, its people and its gastronomy.
1. Greenway of Oil
It is one of the most important cycle paths in Andalusia, starting in the city of Jaén and ending in Puente Genil (Córdoba). Where the old railway tracks have been transformed into long cycle paths.
During the tour of this path you will enjoy the contemplation of the olive trees, a typical landscape of the area. Plus, you’ll come across old bridges and train stations. This itinerary can be done without any difficulty. In addition, you can make the stops you want, depending on your interests. Some of the most interesting destinations are: Jaén, Luque, Baena, Zuheros, Cabra, Lucena and Puente Genil. The green route ends a few kilometers before reaching Puente Genil, so you will have to use the secondary road if you want to reach the city.
The greenways are signposted for the tour. For this we can say that this is one of the easiest cycling routes to follow, with the help of your GPS. However, before making the trip and planning the tourism, be aware that there will be many kilometers where you will not find any source or place to eat (remember that this area is one of the hottest in Spain during the summer months, so it is advisable this tour in another season of the year).
2. Route through the Montseny Natural Park
The Montseny Natural Park has a great natural wealth where you can admire different types of typical Mediterranean, Eurosiberian, and Boreo-Alpine fauna and vegetation. Furthermore, it is the only park in Barcelona (Catalonia) recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. Within this there is a large variety of cycling routes that can be done, as most of the trails are accessible. Also, we are given the option to rent bikes, so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own.
The highlights of these routes are the climbs to the top of Matagalls, the Turó de l’Home, and the visit to the Santa Fe reservoir where you can enjoy wonderful views. Finally, it should be noted that within this natural park we can also enjoy various constructions belonging to different periods such as churches (Santa Margarita), castles (Montclús) or hermitages (Sant Elies), among others.
3. Greenway Black Eyes
The Ojos Negros Greenway, at 167.5 km, is the longest route in Spain and runs along the old railway lines from Santa Eulalia del Campo (Teruel) to Algimia de Alfara (Valencia). However, on this trip we will start in the town of Ojos Negros (Teruel) and finish in Sagunto (Valencia). Enjoying this route by pedaling will allow us to enjoy spectacular landscapes crossing tunnels, bridges, various reservoirs and mountain ranges. The difficulty of this route is very low. It also has a negative slope, which means that except for some climbs the road layout tends to go down.
This path takes several days to complete, so it can be divided into several stages. Here are the most common tour stops for cyclists:
- Santa Eulalia – La Puebla de Valverde (59 km)
- La Puebla de Valverde – Caudiel (63 km)
- Caudiel – Sagunto (54km)
4. Way of Santiago
The Camino de Santiago declared a World Heritage Site and a European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe is one of the oldest and most popular routes, increasingly known throughout the world. Get ready to go on an unforgettable journey where you can meet people and enjoy wonderful landscapes between sea, mountains, vineyards, medieval bridges, castles, churches, among others; it will be an unforgettable journey.
To make the route by bicycle we find different routes that highlight the French Way, the Northern Way, the Portuguese Way, the Primitive Way, the English Way and the Silver Way that will take us to the Cathedral of Santiago. The French Way and the Portuguese Way are the most common among novice cyclists. Likewise, within each route we find different stages with different difficulties and kilometers. The recommended time to do the Camino de Santiago is in the months from May to September, as it is the best time, avoiding the hottest months.
5. Bike path along the Costa da Morte
The Costa da Morte located in the province of A Coruña (Galicia), is located in the north-east of the Galician coast. Through this cycling itinerary you can discover the best beaches and cliffs of the Galician coast. Furthermore, within the route there are sections of the road made by pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago such as Fisterra and Muxía. The route lasts several days, so let’s get to know the stages into which the route can be divided:
- La Coruña
- Caion- Malpica
- Malpica-Laxe
- Laxe-Camariñas
- Camariñas-Fisterra
During the trip you will see the Tower of Hercules, Castro Borneiro, Cape Vilán, Touriñán Lighthouse, Cape Fisterra, among others. Likewise, you can also enjoy different archaeological sites, monuments, churches, museums, fishing villages, beaches and enchanting places. Finally, it should be noted that the most recommended period to travel the route is summer.
6. Camino Real de Guadalupe
This route follows in the footsteps of pilgrims who reached their peak in the 15th and 16th centuries.
During the Middle Ages the Monastery of Guadalupe was the main pilgrimage center of the peninsula. To do this tour you can choose between different routes:
- Avila
- Guadalajara
- Merida
- Madrid
The real and best-known road is that of Madrid, which is about 257 km long. The route starts at the Jerónimos church, although some start in Móstoles up to El Álamo, the last city of Madrid before reaching La Sagra (Toledo), continuing through the Tagus plain and the Sierra de Gredos to reach Talavera de la Reina and Oropesa. Here begins the hardest stretch of the route towards the Archbishop’s Bridge, crossing several ports and ending in the Humilladero that takes us to Guadalupe.
7. Camí de Cavalls route
The Camí de Cavalls route circles the coast of Menorca and is approximately 185 kilometers long. If you decide to do this route with your bicycle, you will be able to enjoy the spectacular landscapes that this island offers. It is one of the most special routes for mountain biking. Similarly, we can say that it is designed for cyclists of a certain level, since it is a path that requires a certain technical and physical level.
To make this trip it is recommended to do it in at least 4 stages. However, the ideal is to do 5 or 6 stages to be able to do shorter stretches. Here we will show you the route in 5 stages:
- Maó – Arenal d’en Castell (35 km)
- Arenal d’en Castell – Ferreries (32 km)
- Ferry – Ciutadella (36 km)
- Ciutadella – Sant Tomás (43 km)
- Sant Tomas – Maò (48 km)
There are sections where you will have to get off the bike, due to the difficulty of that section. Finally, it should be remembered that the best time to do this itinerary is autumn, as it is an ideal climate to enjoy the island.
8. Route through the Tiétar valley
The Tiétar Valley is located in the Sierra de Gredos. This route is circular, so the place of departure and arrival are the same. In the same way it is a path with many gradients, however if you want to cross quieter areas you can follow the GR 180, a marked path that connects several villages in the valley. The tour starts in Arenas de San Pedro (Ávila province); along the way you can enjoy a great naturalistic and landscape richness, castles and also, taste the typical gastronomy of the area. The itinerary of this route is:
- Arenas de San Pedro
- La Parra
- El Arenal
- The stove
- Stew
- Arenas de San Pedro
The best time to take this bike route is spring and autumn, as it is the best time to visit the city and cycle.
And you, do you know any of these cycle paths? If you want to tell us your experience or add a comment, you can write it below.
Cover image: Alicante, via Canva Pro
