When it comes to a combination of natural beauty and intriguing history, there are few countries that have both in abundance quite like Spain. From vineyards, to mountains, to intriguing historical cities, it has an endless amount of places to ride and explore. Cycling in Spain can have an endless number good rides but these ten best cycling routes give a good idea of what riding in Spain is all about.
Andalucia is an area that is truly steeped in history, marrying Spanish and Moorish cultures into one mish-mash of beauty. Crumbling castles and beautiful weather will accompany you on this ride, and you’ll soon find yourself lost in the sheer beauty of it all. A must do mountain bike route, or at least part of it, is the Trans Andalus which is a 2000km route that circumnavigates the country.
The route of Don Quijote, featured in the novel The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote, written in the 1600’s, travels over 2000 kilometers through 148 towns covering a large number of historical tails and rural Spanish countryside. There are many individual routes to choose from the entire trail which range from beautiful vineyards to historical villages.
For those who want to see a little bit more of the rural side of the country, this is one of the best cycling routes in Spain. You’ll get up close and personal with some gorgeous farmland while also enjoying the disused railway lines that double up as much of the trail.
The Via Verde Ojos Negros, or Greenways, is the longest greenway route in Spain following an old railroad bed. The trail is in a rural area of Castellón and has the added benefit of running parallel to a rail line that provides easy access to the route with multiple stations along the line.
If you’re looking to dedicate an entire week or more to your cycling holiday, especially if you’re looking to ride in more than one part of the country, then riding parts of the Tour of Spain route can be a fantastic option. The routes are chosen for their difficulty as well as scenery. Also, reliving the race is exciting knowing the route you’re on was used by one of the biggest races in the world.
You’ll get a great view of Barcelona when riding on this gorgeous cycling route, which is both beautiful and easy to digest at only 9 kilometers. It is also one of the most popular cycling routed in Spain so try to ride it on the weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds.
More well-known for being a route the pilgrims take on foot, this trail is also available to cyclists and is ideal for those who want to mix a little spirituality into their experience. If you ride 200 kilometers of the path you will even receive the vaunted Pilgrimage Certificate.
Starting your ride with coffee on the terrace with a view over looking Las Alpujarras Mountains in the Sierra Nevada region of Spain is just the beginning of a day of mountain biking across trails steeped in angle as well as history with some being made from mules of farmers of the middle-ages.
We mentioned earlier that the Spanish government has gone to great lengths to make abandoned railway lines friendly to cyclists, and in Via Verde Tajuna they may have their crowning jewel. Located in the heart of Madrid, there are few better cycling routes in Spain for revealing exactly what it is that makes the Spanish way of life so special.
This stunning 22 mile route is perhaps the best route for cycling in Spain, offering plenty of variety for a family ride. You’ll get to explore the stunning region of Cadiz, traveling through more than 30 tunnels along the way. The aqueducts are an added bonus and traffic is light so you can enjoy the trail in safety.