Bike Tour in Spain: The Costa Blanca Hinterland

From Alicante or Valencia, you can reach Villena by train, from where a transfer will take you to your starting point in Biar, 10 km away. With its many cultural monuments, the town attracts visitors with its magnificent 12th century castle, many churches, small squares and narrow alleyways. Try the regional specialties in one of the many bars and restaurants here. Booked rental bikes are available for you at the hotel.

Pine forests, vineyards and vegetable plantations form a charming panorama for your first cycling stage. You first cycle to Villena, where the imposing Castillo de la Atalaya castle bears witness to the settlement of the region by the Arabs. You then continue along the Río Vinalopó to Banyeres de Mariola. From here, you can take the direct route to Bocairent or take a detour through the Sierra de Mariola Nature Park.

The route takes you through mountainous terrain and then to the lake of Beniarrés. After a breather you cycle through the small villages on the edge of the spectacular Sierra de Aitana mountain range, a region rich in contrasts, which offers great views with its rocky edges and slopes. At the end of the day, you reach Alcoy, one of the oldest industrial cities in Spain. The Plaza de España and the church of Santa María form the historic town center.

One of the most impressive days of this cycle tour lies ahead of you. The rugged contrasts of the mountain valleys have a charm all of their own. Today you can again choose between two routes. The flatter route leads along a former railroad line through a breathtaking gorge, with most of the cycle path being graveled. The more challenging variant takes you over the mountain range towards the coast.

The sea is not far away now and you can already feel the breeze. The route first takes you through orange groves and then through the marshland behind the coast. The area is a popular breeding ground for birds and birdwatchers also like to come here. Later you reach the village of Simat de la Valldigna, which boasts an impressive monastery. You reach the coastal town of Cullera along the large marshland and rice fields.

You can extend today's stage a little if you feel like it. If you decide to extend it, your cycle tour begins on the banks of the Xúquer River. You then enter the Albufera Nature Park, one of the most important wetland biotopes in the Mediterranean. Lakes, marshes, sand dunes and pine forests characterize this idyllic area. In addition to the historic old town, you should definitely visit the central market in València with its almost 1,000 stalls.

After breakfast your bike tour in Spain through the hinterland of the Costa Blanca ends. We are also happy to extend your vacation in València.