CYCLING HOLIDAY VIA VERDE OJOS NEGROS
CYCLING HOLIDAY
Individual, from 2 pers.
Bike level 4/5
climbing and descending
for sporty cyclists
or enjoyers on E-bikes
Through protected natural areas
Sierra de Calderona
Sierra de Espadán
Desert de les Palmes
Sierra de Irta
Langs Moorish castles
and picturesque villages
end point
Picturesque Peniscola
Medieval fortress by the sea
INCLUDING
overnight stays in small-scale accommodations, incl. breakfast
Trekking bicycle or mountain bike met bicycle bag and repair kit
Dutch road book
verified GPS tracks
Telephonic support
Roadside assistance/replacement bicycle
Daily luggage transport
possible (extra charge)
transfer back to Valencia
in consultation
DATES&RATES
Available all year round, subject to accommodation availability.
Departures possible all year round, in principle on Mondays
Other departure days on request.
Low season rates
(April-June+September-October)
5 days/4 nights
€425 per person
based on Bed & Breakfast
in a double room
May holidays and July/August:
525€ per person
luggage transport
€37.50 per stage/person
(minimum 2 participants)
Transportation from Peniscola . terminus
back to Valencia:
Per train approx. 15€ pp
Taxi + bicycle transport: 110€ pp
E-MTB supplement: 50€ per day
Focus Jarifa/Bosch engine
Subject to availability
NOW 10% DISCOUNT ON TOURS FROM OCT 1, 2022 - APRIL 1, 2023
Single room supplement: +€229
extension at ****Hotel Acteon Valencia or ****Silken Puerta Valencia:
48€ pppn
including breakfast buffet
based on double room
Different rates may apply on other local holidays.
The moment you choose a departure date, you will receive a final quote.
Read more about our extensive security, extensive cancellation policy and low deposits here .
Description
Cross colorful mountains of red sandstone , through valleys full of cork oaks . Discover quaint whitewashed villages and 'hidden treasures' such as waterfalls, aqueducts and Moorish castles . And cycle right along the Virgin Mediterranean coast .
Valencia is surrounded by mountains and protected natural areas. This journey leads through the Sierra de Calderona, Sierra de Espadán and Sierra de Irta . The final destination is the picturesque Peñiscola , where you can recover from a wonderful tour through the most beautiful protected natural areas of the Region of Valencia. It is great cycling weather here all year round, even in winter , because the route remains relatively close to the Mediterranean Sea . It is still about 15 to 20 degrees during the day. Ideal!
This route is intended for sporty cyclists , who like to cycle a long way uphill . And don't be afraid to descend on winding roads.
Do you want to have energy left to enjoy? Then rent an E-bike .
The roads through the Sierra de Espadán and Calderona are well maintained and with little traffic. A gravel path with the necessary rocks and boulders runs through the Sierra de Irta.
Are you looking for winter sun? February is a beautiful month, because then the almond trees bloom. And at the end of March the oranges bloom, and the landscape is 'perfumed' by the sweet scent of the 'Azahar'.
In summer you can also swim in fantastically located (public) swimming pools or at paradise swimming spots in rivers and waterfalls! As an extra, we can also organize a kayak or paddle surf trip (supping).
Or climb under the guidance of an instructor along a Via Ferrata, a secured climbing course where you are secured by a steel cable.
You cycle according to our route description, at your own pace.
Before departure, we will personally explain to you which routes there are and what to see along the way.
The routes are suitable for anyone with cycling experience in the hills or mountains. Part of the journey is downhill, and then it is important that you can brake gently in bends and keep your balance well.
Routes
This route is suitable for sturdy trekking bikes, gravel and mountain bikes. And only for sporty cyclists!
Take into account 500 to 1000 vertical meters per day.
It is a lot easier on an E-bike, although you will also have to pedal a lot yourself.
The tour starts in Valencia.
Below you will find the most common program.
The routes are as much as possible on asphalt or paved gravel paths, to guarantee that you can cycle all year round and do not end up 'in the mud'. And it's important to us that we can easily reach you if you need technical or medical assistance.
That is why we consciously avoid remote or dangerous mountain trails.
DAY 1: 60 km.
From Valencia you cycle through the Horta Nord horticultural area towards the first mountain range, the Sierra de Calderona. After a tough climb you are about 500 meters above sea level and you look out over the Mediterranean Sea. And you can already see the challenge for the next day on the other side... With peaks up to 1100 meters it will only get more beautiful in the coming days! After a quick descent you cycle to Segorbe for the first overnight stay, on the edge of the Sierra de Espadán.
You spend the night in hotel Martin el Humano.
DAY 2: 40-65 km
Via the village of Navajas you cycle along the reservoir of Regajo and a steep climb begins to one of the passes in the Sierra de Espadán. There are various routes, with more or less altimeters. Along the way you will cycle past a number of Moorish castles and typical villages. You will cycle along steep rock walls of red/purple sandstone and you will also come across the first cork oaks, typical of this area. You can extend the route this day (on site) with a visit to the 'ghost village' Jinquer. This has been abandoned since the Spanish Civil War, with a medieval church as a silent witness.
You will stay in a small-scale hotel in Sueras or Onda. On this day you can also extend the route by cycling to the Fuente de Castro, a source at the foot of a Moorish castle ruins.
At this point you can add an extra cycling day, cycling to a number of hidden treasures, such as waterfalls at crystal clear mountain streams, a Moorish castle or trenches from the Spanish Civil War.
Day 3: 45 km
Today a relatively easy trip, with significantly less climbing than the previous days. Enjoying it is no less. You cycle along a beautiful reservoir, on small roads and a single gravel path towards Vilafamés, a relatively unknown and authentic fortified town on a hill.
There you will sleep in a small-scale hotel or B&B.
Day 4: 40-50 km
Today you will again cross a protected nature reserve, the Desert de les Palmes. Here you can choose from a shorter and longer route. After a steep climb you descend to sea level and stay in a hotel close to the beach of Alcossebre or Benicassim.
Day 5: 55-65 km
The last leg starts easy, but the devil is in the tail. You cycle right along the sea, through the Sierra de Irta.
This is one of the few remaining stretches of virgin Mediterranean coast.
A beautiful, but bumpy gravel path runs right through this nature reserve.
In the distance, the fortified town of Peñiscola looms.
Before you get there, you first climb to a steep cliff, with great views over the sea.
Then it's time for a relaxing stay in Peñiscola, where you can also spend the evening in the medieval center.
Day 6
You can extend your stay in Peñiscola by one or more days.
To return to Valencia, hop on the train by bike, or we will come and pick you up for a quick and comfortable ride to Valencia and/or the airport.
You will receive a map and descriptions of the sights along the way.
For tailor-made routes, you also get GPS.
At some points you can deviate from the route to visit a waterfall or castle, for example. A number of sights can be reached by bike (via smaller roads), others only on foot.
The route takes as much as possible on local roads, with hardly any car traffic. Here and there you will find a cycle path. The road (asphalt) is in good condition and sometimes goes uphill, sometimes downhill. Sometimes you mainly need pedals, sometimes just your brakes :)
Our hybrid bikes have 21 or 24 gears, the E-bikes have 7 gears (and 5 levels of pedal assistance). For children we use mountain bikes with 21 gears. We also have a Follow me tandem and child seats for the little ones.
prices
For this trip we will make a tailor-made offer. Not all accommodations are open all year round, so we need to request availability based on your preferred departure date. In principle, departures are possible all year round, on Sundays or Mondays.
As an indication (subject to change):
2 days / 1 night: from € 149 pp
3 days / 2 nights: from € 229,-
6 days / 5 nights: from €499,
Including:
- bike rental, helmet and panniers
- overnight stays with breakfast
- Dutch descriptions and explanations of the routes at the start
- telephone helpline for questions en route
- replacement bicycle in case of serious mechanical problems on the road
- GPS tracks for your own bike computer or our Garmin GPS (5€ per day)
It is advisable to take as little luggage as possible on your bike during this trip , because that saves a lot of ballast and bumps with your stuff. We can transport your luggage to your next accommodation on a daily basis.
Luggage transport (optional): 75€ per journey (for luggage of 2-4 persons). You can also bring your own luggage on the bike.
Surcharge for e-bike with mid-engine:
30€ per day.
E-MTB supplement: 40-50€ per day, depending on model.
Extra activities such as paddle surf, kayak or climbing on the Via Ferrata from € 20 pp, depending on the number of participants.
If bad weather is forecast in the mountains, it may be necessary to adjust the route. The chance of this is small, however. In summer it is 28 to 35 degrees in this area during the day. In spring and autumn between 20 and 30 degrees. And in winter 15 to 20.
In the summer months, the public swimming pools are open, which are often located in beautiful places in the mountains. And there are a number of paradisiacal natural swimming spots.
After filling in the booking form, we check the availability of accommodations, our driver and the bicycles and we confirm the booking asap. Also fill in an alternative date in case we have to move to another date due to the weather.
Please also state your height, so that we can prepare the correct size bicycle. And if children are coming, please state how many and how old they are so we can provide child seats.
Your safety on the road has our attention, but remains your own responsibility. Participants in our tours are expected to take out travel and accident insurance themselves.