Contents
Now that we know the rules to follow when cycling, it is time to find out which are the bicycle trails in Spain that you cannot miss.
There is not enough space to tell you about all the places where cycling is a delight, but here are the five trails that we like the most and that will allow you to know in depth different places in Spain.
Transandalus trail. Pure Andalusia
This is the best way not to miss almost anything, because this cycling trail passes through the eight Andalusian provinces. You will be amazed by the variety of landscapes you will pass through. The volcanic Cabo de Gata in Almería, the flora and fauna of Doñana, in Huelva, the white villages of the Alpujarra in the Sierra Nevada National Park…
No more and no less than 2,000 kilometres of trail that you will have to do in stages and enjoying each stop, because it is worth it: 35% of the trail runs through protected natural areas. Plan the itinerary very well according to the physical level of the riders. For this, the best thing to do is to visit their website and check out all their tips.
Formentera in the best way possible
For those who love calm and seafaring settings, this trail through the smallest island of the Balearic Islands is a perfect option. Who prefers a motorbike when they can pedal? Do it with a mountain bike and get ready for untouched nature, agricultural fields, rural environments, fig trees, postcard beaches such as Ses Illetes…
Formentera’s 32 green trails stretch more than 100 kilometres. If you are a cycling ‘pro’, try the 76-kilometre trail around the island and put yourself to the test with ascents, descents and paths of some difficulty. The panoramic views from the top of cliffs such as La Mola or the Cabo de Barbaria lighthouse are well worth it. The good life in its purest form!
Eurovelo 8. From Athens to Cádiz
We love the EuroVelo Project. What is it? No more and no less than 15 cycling trails that seek to connect different parts of Europe. Like an Interrail, but on two wheels! Three of these trails pass through Spain: the EV1 (from Gipuzkoa to Huelva, continuing through Portugal), the EV3 (from Norway to Santiago de Compostela) and the EV8 (from Athens to Cádiz).
This last one has made us fall in love (you know that we are very Mediterranean). It consists of 5,888 kilometres passing through 11 countries along the Mediterranean coast. We are not asking you to do all of them (some of you will be courageous enough), but we are asking you to try the stretch between Barcelona and Elche. It is a different way of getting to know our coast and places such as the palm grove in Elche, Valencia and its lagoon, the Ebro Delta or the Roman remains in Tarragona. Take a week’s holiday!
Costa da Morte, natural greenery
Approximately 8 days and 255 kilometres are enough to pedal from Punta Roncudo to Finisterre and to pinch yourself to believe that the beaches of Trece, Lage or Rostro actually exist. Located between the Rías Altas and the Rías Baixas, the Costa da Morte has an impressive landscape, towns of seafaring tradition and, of course, an unparalleled cuisine.
Our favourite part is to contemplate the breaking waves of the Atlantic Sea from lighthouses, visit towns at the foot of cliffs and bays stretching for miles, such as Muxía, Malpica or Laxe. And, as an added bonus, a short tour around Santiago de Compostela. The trail suggested by Geographica is great.
The Don Quixote trail, La Mancha in its most traditional form
Don Quixote rode his horse across La Mancha, and now you can emulate him on a bicycle. Could the ingenious nobleman be able to travel the 2,500 kilometres of the trail known as the Don Quixote Trail? The trail is divided into ten sections that pass through 148 municipalities in the five provinces of Castilla-La Mancha. It is a spectacular display of fields, old train tracks, rivers, cattle trails and, of course, the iconic mills (the sunset at the Consuegra mills is great).
Along the trail you will find more than 2,000 elements of cultural interest and, above all, a lot of nature. The Cabañeros and Tablas de Daimiel national parks are well worth a visit, as are the six natural parks, the twelve reserves and the six micro-reserves. You can download the trail guide here. Don Quixote obviously knew what he was doing.
So start training and choose the trail you like best to discover small paradises in a special way. And if you come across any of these beaches along the way, so much the better.
At Sonneil we help you find your own place in Spain, so why not look for it while cycling?
