Arrival in Madrid

Should you have the time, come to Madrid a few days early so you can explore this Spanish capital. Madrid has several famous museums as well as countless cozy bars and restaurants. You can also choose to stroll through Retiro Park: a green oasis in the middle of the city. The starting point of the cycling vacation Arganda del Rey is an hour from the airport and the center of Madrid and is easily reached by metro. Of course, you can also opt for a cab. You will travel to Araganda del Rey on your own. In Arganda del Rey itself there is little to see but the hotel has a good restaurant with a terrace and there is a large supermarket nearby to do some more shopping for tomorrow's ride. From here tomorrow, you'll be right out of the busy city and begin the trek pleasantly through fields and orchards.

Overnight stay in Arganda del Rey

Arganda del Rey – Estremera (54km – 450 ↑m )

The first ride is almost entirely on two Vías Verdes: bike paths over old railroad tracks and hills with olive groves, through a fertile valley. On the hills between Arganda del Rey and Morata, you cycle past one of the most important battlefields of the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939).
Estremera is a typical Spanish village where you can encounter both locals and city people from Madrid who spend the weekend here. Immerse yourself in Spanish atmospheres in the evening and enjoy the outdoors.

Overnight stay in Estremera

Estremera – Huete (46km – 750 ↑m)

After a short descent, you cross the Tagus River and the road begins to gradually ascend.

The surroundings are getting rougher and rougher. It is enjoyable here if you like this. The road here winds between feral almond trees over an ancient Castilian plateau.
You pass a few hushed villages along the way. Huete, is a rather remote place that will appeal to lovers of ancient glory: monasteries, churches, mansions and palaces in various states of decay, or well restored.

Overnight in Huete

Huete – Cuenca (57km – 600 ↑m)

On today's route, you'll cycle between wooded slopes, through an increasingly narrow valley surrounded by poppies and sunflowers. At 2/3 of today's route, the narrow road turns into a strange, deserted wide road. This is the old national road Madrid – Cuenca which today is hardly used by traffic after the construction of a new highway.
The arrival in Cuenca is spectacular: over a footbridge above a gorge you reach the old city, on a rocky plateau between two rivers. The old core of Cuenca is beautiful and atmospheric for an evening stroll from the beautifully located hotel. On the outskirts of the city is the large Serranía nature reserve through which you will cycle tomorrow.

Overnight stay in Cuenca

Cuenca – Tragacete (60km – 890 ↑m)

Today green is the order of the day with unspoiled nature throughout the drive…. With a little luck, spot deer and mouflon, while griffon vultures and eagles soar above you.
The village of Tragacete is busy on weekends with many visitors from Madrid. On other days, this is a wonderful quiet place to relax.

Overnight stay in Tragacete

Tragacete – Albarracin (55km – 950 ↑m)

Today you have a choice of 2 different bike routes. Not able to make a choice yet? No problem because you still have plenty of time to decide. You will be presented with a wonderful bike ride today that begins with a climb up to the border between Castile and Aragon, surrounded by forests, rocky outcrops and mountain meadows.
You will pass special places, such as the source of the Tagus River or the village of Guadalaviar, where the old "transhumancia" tradition (going around with sheep herds) still exists. At the end of a gorge you reach Albarracín, in the Middle Ages a small independent place in the Moorish empire and today a very nice place to spend the evening.

Overnight stay in Albarracin

Rest day Albarracin

There is no bike ride scheduled today so you will have plenty of time to explore Albarracin with a walk through a maze of alleys and squares. A visit to the cathedral and the adjacent episcopal museum is also recommended.Albarracín has much to see and fine squares and terraces to spend a day at leisure.A real must is to take a walk of about 5 hours to a nature reserve with prehistoric paintings in the rocks.

Overnight stay in Albarracin

Albarracin – Teruel (42km – 430 ↑m)

The first part of this ride goes through a natural park: the "Paisaje protegido pinares de rodeno" The park protects both the nature with forests of maritime pine, recognizable by its large pine cones, and the reddish rock formations and the many prehistoric paintings in rock cavities.
This is how you reach Spain's smallest provincial capital: Teruel. It is a nice little town to spend the rest of the day among the locals. The highlight of the town are the four mudéjar towers, world heritage sites and beautiful examples of brick and ceramic masonry from the 13th and 14th centuries

Overnight stay in Teruel

Teruel – Albentosa (48km – 430 ↑m)

Today is another day of enjoyment. From Teruel you cycle almost exclusively on the Vía Verde de Ojos Negros; the longest Via Verde in Spain with a length of 170km. In the early 21st century, the governments of Valencia and Aragon began converting the narrow gauge into Vía Verde. The Vía Verde leads along rocky slopes dotted with juniper, pine and holm oak. The overnight spot is a hotel-farm where the owner can tell you all about life in this area, including the culture of the truffle which is very important here.

Overnight stay in Albentosa

Albentosa – Segorbe (64km – 170 ↑m)

After breakfast, continue your way along the beautiful Via Verde. After a first section through undulating terrain, you reach the pass Alto de Barracas. This separates the inland from the Mediterranean environment closer to the coast. During the gradual descent on the bike, you will feel the difference in temperature.
Segorbe is a nice, small town to linger in the evening. Wander through the narrow streets, past churches and squares and enjoy delicious tapas in the evening.

Overnight stay in Segorbe

Segorbe – Valencia (65km – 260 ↑m)

The final destination of this cycling vacation is approaching: Valencia. You bike in a downhill line to the coast with beautiful views and changing scenery along the way. Pine forests turn into orange groves and vegetable gardens.
After a lap of honor along Valencia's promenade, you'll reach the final hotel, located between downtown and the beach. Enjoy typical Spanish food at one of the famous paella restaurants. A nice ending to this wonderful cycling vacation.

Overnight in Valencia