CYCLING HOLIDAY ALBUFERA LAKE - RICE FIELDS - JUCAR RIVER
Trek with hotels, Round trip from 215 to 285 km, cycling level 1, 2 or 3
5 or more Days / 4 or more nights, Individual or Group Tour
Cycle from Valencia along the sea to the rice fields, Albufera Natural Park and the orange groves around the Jucar River (Ribera de Xúquer). Fully organized incl. English roadbook, GPS, bicycle rental and accommodation. An easy route with hardly any differences in altitude, mainly following cycle paths and quiet agricultural roads.
There are many places on the route to stop for a snack or drink. And some fantastic places to eat paella or learn how to make one by yourself! Another well-known regional dish is 'all i pebre', a spicy dish with eel, potato and pepper.
Thanks to the mild climate along the Mediterranean Sea, you can enjoy cycling almost every day, with 300 days of sunshine a year. Winter never gets really cold, in summer you'll find nice beaches or natural swimming pools along the Jucar river to take a cool break..
I personally enjoy winter to cycle in this area, because the orange and kaki groves are packed with colourful fruit. And thousands of migratory birds flock down on the inundated fields.
In March you can enjoy the white flowers and sweet perfume of the 'azahar' (orange blossom).
The rice fields are flooded a few times a year. From May onwards the rice plants will appear and turn the water into a bright green sea. In autumn the migratory birds return, the water as well.
CYCLING HOLIDAYS
Individual or group travel
Easy routes with hardly any difference in height, as much as possible bicycle paths or car-free asphalt roads.
The routes can be expanded on site with more altimeters (climbing and descending).
Departure all year round, except July and August.
Extra beautiful from December to March (blossom and orchards full of oranges and persimmons)
GPS and roadbook with tips for restaurants and sights along the way
Personal explanation before departure
Shortening or extending stages is possible, useful for families with children
INCLUDING
overnight stays in small-scale accommodations, including breakfast
Briefing and assistance during the trip in English, Dutch, German or Spanish
A normal trekking bike is included in the price
Comes with panniers and handlebar bag
optional rental of trekking bike, ebikes (surcharge)
children's trailers or follow-me tandem.
GPS device or GPS tracks for your own device.
You can also bring your own bicycle
Luggage transport possible
Replacement bicycle in case of serious mechanical problems
Description
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.
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.
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.
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.
All our tours start and end in Valencia.Your trip to Spain is not included.
Route
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Don't want to miss anything from Valencia? Then book a Dutch guide who will cycle with you along all the highlights.
Rates
weekly departure on Tuesday from November to April
weekly departures on Mondays and Wednesdays in April, May, June, September, and October.
Other departure days on request.
extension in ****Hotel Silken Puerta Valencia: €48.00 pp per night
bed+breakfast buffet
For questions or reservations you can also call Richard: +34 677 709 109
He speaks Dutch, English, German and Spanish.