Bicycle tourism at the Costa Blanca and the region of Alicante is very popular . Many professional cycling teams use the region for their training.
Indeed in the winter, you can find several well-known cyclist.
On this page you will find more about the cycling routes.
The whole regions becomes more and more popular by several large names in the cycling sport.
The even buy a house in the mountains. So that they can train often.
Climate
As known, the Costa Blanca has a sunny and warm climate .
Also in the winter , the climate is very good.
It has also perfect mountains for cycling.
So the Costa Blanca region offers a wide range of cycling routes.
The routes are different about length and gradient.
The ” ciclo turismo” is a development project in the region. They promote the Alicante province as a quality bicycle tourism destination.
The bicycle roads are fantastic.
If you follow the interconnecting routes , you will encounter very little traffic.
Location
The Costa Blanca region is in the east of Spain . Getting there is easy, with a large number of airlines flying directly to Alicante.
The Alicante airport is very popular by west and north European visitors.
So the Costa Blanca is famous as holiday destination. But more and more also as cycling holiday.
The province try to achieve that the region will be a quality bicycle tourism destination.
There is more than 1 000 kilometers of interconnected cycling routes.
So cycling tourist can discover every little hidden place of the province.
Low carbon footprint of the Bicycle tourism
Cycling is a form of tourism with a low-carbon footprint.
It has a potential grown in west Europa and Spain.
For this cycling can become an important form of national tourism.
Routes for Bicycle tourism
Important, there are many routes for cycling .
Some are for the professionals, some are for families.
Then, you find good information in the tourist offices of different towns.
routes at the Costa Blanca are accompanied by a “wikiloc” link.
Thus, contains maps and topographic diagrams.
Also details of bicycle hire and also repair shops. Accommodation where the visitors and their bike are welcome.
Furthermore cycle tour organizers. Even taxi services with adapted to carry bicycles.
Tours
All in all, there are nearly 25 routes discovering all the areas.
From Denia to Pilar de Horadada. In the countryside from Villena to Muro.
Important is that the most of the cycling paths are nearly free of traffic.
Furthermore, the cycling routes are based on the Alicante stretch of the nearly 6000 kilometers European cycling route network.
Which will run around the Mediterranean Sea from Cadiz to Athene.
Some prefer that all the planning and the organisation has been take care of. Even the bike hire.
While, there are many organisation who organised cycling holiday. All include .
For example ” The Moorish Spain : Castle of the Levant.
in brief, this cycling tour is a combination of great cycling routes with fantastic historical sites in the Valencia region.
Tip
When you go on a bicycle tour plan your breaks for drinks and lunch.
So it easier to have a goal and also a stop.
Always carry some extra cash with you.
You are on the real Spanish routes.
Most Spanish little bar in the small villages on the Valencia region they will not accept credit cards.
Coll de Rates
This is one of the most popular cycling route in the Alicante region. Of course is is a climb over the ” coll”. It is accessible from the popular Mediterranean sea town of Denia , Calpe or Javea.
The good thing is there is not one route over the coll de Rates. There are several different biking routes, all with a different challenge.
So it is up to you which is your goal. Some are quite gentle, other difficult.
In the winter season, January or February the professional teams are training this climb.
It is the place where you can meet Tom Boonen or Zdenek Stybar from Quickstep team.
The most popular climb begins from “Parcent” and is about 7 km long and a gradient of 5 %.
From the top of the” col of the Rates”, you are in the middle of the Alicante country.
This point connects many other climbs in the area.
A nice tour :
Start in El Campello ( Alicante )- Villajoyosa -Benidorm- Altea -Calpe- Benissa -Parcent -Tarbena – Callosa –Guadalest -Finestrat -Aiges and back to El Campelle ( Alicante). 190km
A more flat tour
Start from Calpe to Benissa- Ondara- Oliva -Gandia and back to Calpe. It is about 120 km.
You can easily go more north after Gandia towards Cullera and for the brave even to Valencia city.
Orihuela bicycle tourism.
At the Orihuela Costa there is a bicycle lane from La Zenia to Cabo roig . Then to Campamor and to Pilar de la Horadada
Bicycle tour La Matanza- Quesada
First, this bicycle tour is a circular route from Quesada to La Matanza.
It is a beautiful route, mostly flat with beautiful nature.
Indeed, with beautiful views on the surrounding mountains.
The trip
Start with leaving Quesada and go to Benijofar. There turn right at the town square. The street is cobbled. Then at the second roundabout turn left. You need to cycle over the bridge to go to the next roundabout. Follow the sign to the village of Realengo . It is time for a stop , a tapa or a drink. Or Turn right at the junction with the main road. Then cycle along the CV 904 over the bridge.
Then at the next roundabout turn left. Now take the road under the motorway( the A7). Now it is time to go to the village of Albatera. Also in Albetera there are enough possibilities to take a snack.
Now that you have back your forces, cycle trough Albatera . Then turn right heading for Los Vicentes and La Murada.
In La murada, the main street is full of bars and cafes. Time for a break ?
Then up you go to Los Vincentes. Stay on the road till the town of Benferri.
Then take the road to La Matanza. Time fo a coffee or a menu del dia. Remember the tip of the extra cash.
After the break you can go for Orihuela. There you have to stay ay the ring roads otherwise you get in the town center. Take the road to Bigastro.
And return now to Quesada trough Jacarilla, Algorfa, Benijofar.
Duration around five hours
Length of 90 kilometers.
To conclude Bicycle tourism.
Nevertheless the Costa Blanca is an excellent choice for your cycling holidays.
In the winter season there are more professional riders and cycling training in the Valencia region than anywhere in South Europe.
Nearly more popular than Tenerife with the Teide and Mallorca.
Indeed, the Costa Blanca offers a variety of routes nearby the coast or in the hinterland.
So, the weather is perfect in the winter: no to warm in summer , not to cold in the winter.
Also important affordable hotels and other accommodations. In winter most offer incredible deals. Which is great for cyclist.
Those are the important reasons of the popularity of the Costa Blanca for bicycle tourism.