Description

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South of Valencia you will find the Albufera Nature Reserva. Around this huge lake has been rice has been cultivated for ages.

Through a wide branch irrigation system fields are flooded a few times a year. 

You cycle across the rice fields, over dikes and agricultural roads.

Then you cycle through the river basin of the Júcar river, through orchards full of  oranges, kakis and avocados.

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You can add some extras, like a boat trip on Lake Albufera, a visit to an orange plantation,bird excursion with a birding expert, a paella cooking workshop or canoe trip on the river Júcar or the mountain lake of Tous.

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The route is easy, there are not many height differences because almost the entire area is at sea level or along the river. For sportier cyclists, there are a number of alternative stages, with more altimeters and beautiful views as a reward.

Otherwise, consider renting an E-bike.

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You stay at attractive hotels along the route. You can also extend your stay on the beach of Cullera, a relatively quiet seaside resort with beautiful sandy beaches.

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All our tours start and end in Valencia.Your trip to Spain is not included.

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Route

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You can book this package as a 5-day bike tour, with the option to add extra days at the beach in Cullera.

Start and end point is Valencia.

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Day 1: 45-50km

From Valencia you cycle through the dunes to El Saler and Lake Albufera, where you can take a boat trip through the reed lands (to be arranged on site, approx. €4 pp). You will also pass the visitor center of the Albufera National Park, where special birds often settle on a small lagoon. There is always something beautiful to see from the viewing hut.

Or go on a 'safari' with our bird expert. (optional, at extra cost). She knows exactly where you can spot special birds or orchids. With a bit of luck you will also encounter Flamencos. 

The village of Palmar is a nice place to taste an authentic paella. This village is on the edge of the rice fields, which extend south from that point. 

You spend the night in El Perelló or Cullera, not far from the beach and the rice fields.

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Day 2: 40-60 km

Today you follow the Júcar. The water of this river has been used for centuries to irrigate rice fields and citrus plantations.

You cycle on the dikes or asphalted agricultural roads close to the river, surrounded by orchards. This is especially beautiful in winter, when it is full of bright oranges and persimmons.

You can possibly follow a cooking workshop along the way, where you learn to make an authentic Valencian paella. 

Today you can choose from a flat route, or make an extra loop (with a short climb) to the estate around Castle La Murta.

You will spend the night in the atmospheric *hotel El Raco de la Pintora in Alberic. Here you can enjoy the view of the mountains from the edge of the pool. 

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Day 3. 40-60 km

This day you can choose an easy route (almost flat) or a more difficult stage with a climb to the reservoir of Tous(*),. Around the reservoir you can enjoy fantastic views over the mountains and the coastal plain to the Mediterranean Sea. 

On both route variants you cycle along the river bank, to the weir of Antella and through the orchards to the scenic  Sumacarcer . Here the river is shallow and you can really see how clear the water is. On a warm day you can paddle or canoe here. If you choose the easy route, you can also cycle a little uphill (*), so that you get a nice view over the valley of the Jucar river and the extensive citrus groves.  

On request you can make a kayak or SUP trip on the reservoir (+35€ pp), accompanied by an instructor. You will then sail to a 16th century watchtower, with an unforgettable view.

You will spend the night again in *Hotel El Raco de la Pintora in Alberic,

(*) Prefer to enjoy without too much effort? Then book an e-bike and whistling uphill! 

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Day 4: 45-65km

Today you largely follow the route of 'Via Verde del trenet', a former railway line. 

This route goes through a beautiful valley, past stately villas and citrus plantations. You can visit one of those plantations and learn more about the history and cultivation of oranges. You can also visit the huge monastery of Simat de la Valldigna. Then it continues through the orchards and rice fields to the coast. You can shorten the route today by getting on the train by bike.

You will spend the night in the seaside resort of Cullera in ***hotel El Chalet or ****Cullera Holiday.

In the summer it is pleasantly busy on the boulevard. Outside the high season it is wonderfully quiet and you almost have the huge sandy beach to yourself.

You can  extend your stay at the beach by one or more nights here. For example, there is a beautiful walking route of 16 km. You then walk on a ridge, parallel to the sea, with a fantastic view over the bay of Valencia, the Albufera and the Júcar valley.

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Day 5: 45 km

The last stage first leads along the coast,  via the lighthouse of Cullera. Then it goes through the rice fields and the 'hill of saints' towards the Albufera lake and the dunes of El Saler. Along the way you can go to the beach at various places. Or good food at the many restaurants along the way. Once in Valencia, the package ends. We are also happy to arrange accommodation for your further stay in the city.

We recommend ****Hotel Eurostars Acteon or ****Silken Puerta Valencia. These hotels are conveniently located for the sea and the city, and you can also safely park your bicycle here at night. In that case we can extend your bike rental during the rest of your stay.

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You can easily combine this route with one of our other routes, for example the trip on the rail cycle pathVia Verde Ojos Negros, Via Verde del Zafán and Delta de Ebro or our coastal route from Valencia to Peñiscola. 

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Don't want to miss anything from Valencia? Then book a Dutch guide who will cycle with you along all the highlights.

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Rates

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weekly departure on Tuesday​ from November to April

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weekly departures on Wednesdays in April, May, June, September and October.

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Click here for the available departure days and rates.

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Other departure days on request.

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extension in ****Hotel Silken Puerta Valencia: €48.00 pp per night

bed+breakfast buffet 

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For questions or reservations you can also call Richard:  +34 677 709 109

He speaks Dutch, English, German and Spanish.