Spain cycling highlights

2 min summary Map & highlights Sierra de Gredos Catalonia cycling All our Spain guides

Spain Cycling highlights

Spain can be a bit misunderstood. We think of the commercial Costas and imagine the rest is rural, rustic and roasting hot. But so much of Spain is unspoiled, traditional and brilliantly set up for exploring by bike. You’ll be cycling on quiet roads and cycle paths, and there are routes to suit every level of fitness. In Catalonia in May, there might be snow on the Pyrenees and 23°C on the trail, while the sunny south is dry and warm for winter cycling. With your luggage transported, detailed maps and lots of local advice, you’ll be both totally free and fully confident to explore on two wheels.

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Our Spain cycling Holidays

1. Camino de Santiago
2. Catalonia, Mountains to Sea
3. Costa Blanca
4. Girona Province
5. La Rioja
6. Segovia
7. Sierra de Gredos
8. Valencia

Camino de Santiago

1. Camino de Santiago

For a combined physical and spiritual experience, join a group tour and cycle the Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims set aside a month or two to walk this ancient route, but you can cover the Leon to Santiago leg on a bike in eight days, passing through the lush valleys, mountains, monasteries and farming villages of one of the world’s oldest pilgrimages. Vehicle support and a local guide smooth your way.

Camino de Santiago

Catalonia, Mountains to Sea

2. Catalonia, Mountains to Sea

Experience varied Catalonia on a four-day ride from the Pyrenees to the coast, following the disused carrilet railway which once carried coal and iron ore down from the mines. Ride from Ripoll to Olot to Girona, ending at the fishing village of Palamos. On the way, enjoy the volcanic landscapes of Garrotxa, follow the Fluvia River valley and pass through deep forests, with the mountains always in the background.

Costa Blanca

3. Costa Blanca

Excellent, quiet roads in the interior plus many off-road trails leading into the mountains are just part of Alicante and the Costa Blanca’s appeal to cyclists. Add in the high quality rural accommodation on offer, gorgeous scenery, lovely spring and autumn temperatures and sun guaranteed for most of the year and it’s obvious why this is a brilliant destination for all ages and abilities.

Costa Blanca

Girona Province

4. Girona Province

Catalonia’s best cycling routes are clustered in the northeastern province of Girona, with the city of Girona or nearby villages making for the perfect cycling base. Ride out or get dropped at nearby trails, then explore the landscapes: extinct volcanoes, spring-fed lakes, prehistoric caves, rivers, sunflower fields and beaches – with manageable distances allowing time to relax in charming local villages and walled towns.

La Rioja

5. La Rioja

Make sure you balance your panniers with an even number of bottles in each, and try to spit every now and again, as you combine cycling with tasting sessions around one of Europe’s most prestigious wine-producing destinations. Self-guided routes are carefully plotted, taking you between rural B&Bs and 4-star hotels, often starting with a section of the iconic Camino de Santiago.

La Rioja

Segovia

6. Segovia

Segovia is a land of knights, kings and queens, of Roman aqueducts, fairytale fortresses, and hairpin bends that delight both pro and semi-pro cyclists. The mountains and plains here offer plenty of challenge, but what makes riding here really special is the opportunity to connect with rural communities for a taste of real Spain.

Sierra de Gredos

7. Sierra de Gredos

Cycle through a pristine mountainous region of central Spain at your own pace, with self-guided routes backed up with 24-hour support from local experts. This lesser-known region is wonderful to explore by bike, and your daily rides can be easily combined with everything from bird watching to tapas tasting, or sightseeing in the historic, UNESCO-listed city of Aavila.

Sierra de Gredos

Valencia

8. Valencia

You can cycle from mountains all the way to the sea, following a ‘green pathway’ designed to showcase some of Valencia’s most beautiful scenery. Staying in a different, locally owned accommodation every night, you’ll ride through aromatic groves of oranges and olives, vineyards and rice paddies. Easygoing daily routes allow plenty of time to stop and drink in the views.

SPAIN CYCLING HOLIDAYS TRAVEL ADVICE

Why cycle?

Vivian Campbell, from our supplier Cycle Catalan:
“A cycling holiday allows you to meet local people and you just don’t get that opportunity in a car. Some people that came here got a bit lost and then got chatting with a farmer’s wife. The next minute, she invited them in for a glass of homemade lemonade and gave them a bag of tomatoes to take away! It’s things like that that make your holiday.”

Fiona Smart, from our supplier Mas Pelegri in Catalonia:
“This region is amazing for cycling. We are on the plain near the foothills of the Pyrenees. There are loads of Romanesque churches, Greek and Iberian ruins, and beautiful canyons and rock structures. Just within the province of Girona there are lots of different areas, from the high Pyrenees, down to lakes and the volcanic national park, and then dropping down to the lowlands next to the Mediterranean.”

Packing tips

Vivian Campbell, from our supplier Cycle Catalan, shares her insights into cycling in Catalonia:
“We always ask people to bring a mobile phone because it’s really important that they keep in touch with us if there’s an emergency, or if something happened with the bike – then we can pick them up. We do always say bring sun screen even in April or October because if you’re out cycling all day you can get a bit of sunburn on your wrists. Also mosquito or insect repellent; people think that it’s Spain and you don’t really need it but actually you do in the evenings if you’re out and about or at a restaurant. And a camera – always bring a camera or your iPhone; make sure you can take that nice photograph of the vineyard or the grapes and harvest. Capture that moment!”

Best time to cycle in Catalonia

Fiona Smart, from our supplier Mas Pelegri in Catalonia lifts the lid on when to visit: “People tell us they prefer Catalonia to Tuscany as there are fewer people. It’s like Tuscany with mountains and much more going on. Tuscany is also too cold in the winter, whereas Catalonia isn’t. We’ve had families over for New Year who went mountain biking and did walks every day, and had a lovely time.”

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Spain cycling or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Tips from our travellers

At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.

We have selected some of the most useful Spain cycling holiday tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.

Come cycling in Catalonia if you are active people who love nature and do not like tourist traps.

– Dorine van der Vloodt

“Don't worry if you go off the beaten track - just enjoy it!” – Margaret Steventon

“Pack a good pair of walking shoes or sandals because as well as cycling, the walks are excellent!” – Sarah Slade

“Come cycling in Catalonia if you are active people who love nature and do not like tourist traps. Make sure you wear suitable sports clothing on the mountain bikes.” – Dorine van der Vloodt

Being able to cycle, self-guided, to some challenging locations and experience the local culture was wonderful

– Sue Bound

“Biking in a gorgeous setting in Catalonia. There were enough rides on varied terrain for every ability level accessible right from the hotel, but it’s best suited for the active traveller. Bikers, runners and swimmers will relish the ample options.” – Mary Ann Pashigian

“Being able to cycle, self-guided, to some wonderful and challenging locations and experience the local culture was wonderful. Go now and be ready to challenge yourself, create memories and have fun!” – Sue Bound

“Make sure you can cycle off road on very rough ground. Not all the trails are smooth.” – Jane Coward

More about Spain cycling

Spain cycling travel guide

Get on your bike with our Spain cycling holidays travel guide, including details on the best time to visit Spain and a useful temperature and rainfall chart with month-by-month information.

Sierra de Gredos cycling holidays

Thanks to the gorgeous yellow mountain broom, you can enjoy biking on sunshine when you explore the Sierra de Gredos in central Spain.

Cycling in Catalonia

Our cycling holidays in Catalonia travel guide reveals why Girona is could be coined the cycling capital of the world - and why so many professional cyclists relocate here.

More relevant guides

Written by Joanna Simmons

Spain cycling highlights