From Moorish castles to Valencia & the Albufera Coast

Leaving Biar, the cycle path along a former railway line offers a direct, low-mileage route passing orchards and rural villages en route to Banyeres de Mariola, bordering the Serra de Mariola Nature Reserve. Alternatively, win higher ground by heading into the Serra and be rewarded by beautiful views across the valley. Today’s final stretch leads to Bocairent, home to mysterious caves used by the Moors and ancient ice pits where snow was stored for use throughout the year.

Overnight in Bocairent.

Miles: 14-32 Kms: 24-53

Why not stay a while in Bocairent to make the most of the magnificent medieval district? With the oldest bull ring in Valencia province and the local monastery carved out of the rock, there are some great discoveries to make, and your next overnight stop in Ontinyent is only a short bike ride away first along the trackbed cycle path, then on small roads including a stretch through a spectacular gorge. Alternatively, head off along a different route alongside groves of fruit trees into La Vallete d’Agres to explore the little villages of Alfafara and Agres in the foothills of the impressive Serra de Mariola.

Overnight in Ontinyent.

Miles: 10-19 Kms: 15-30

When you stay in an awesome country setting like this, it’s no wonder that a day just drinking in the Mediterranean sunshine and pleasant rural views from the side of the pool has a certain appeal. Take time out today if you wish or make the short ride past grain fields and olive groves to the vineyards around Fontanars del Alforins. The historic Valencian mansion houses here will be sure to give you a taste for the place – some are now wine cellars! – before pedalling back to your very comfortable hotel to make the most of its truly delicious menu.

Miles: 25 Kms: 40

Time to pick your way through apricot and almond groves, the persimmon plantations and time-honoured vineyards towards the historic textiles town of Ontinyent, then on via tiny hamlets to the shores of the Bellùs lake. The landscape is captivating here, rugged and rural, marked by ‘azuts’ (water division dams) and old watermills. Pedal onwards towards the richly historic town of Xàtiva, following a traffic-free path through the Albaida river gorge with its Neolithic cave dwellings and Roman aqueduct. Xàtiva bears the stamp of infamous Borgia family with its impressive collection of noblemen’s houses, often known as mansions or ‘palaces’. Most have small attic arches, designed to air the stored grain, iron balconies, tiny look-out windows and a cooling inner courtyard. Take a walk down the Calle de Montcada, check out Alarcón Palace, now the town’s courthouse or the Royal Monastery de Santa Clara. And if all that is simply not enough culture for one day, you can always look up to the massive floodlit castle perched high above the roof tops at night or simply sit and watch the world go by from one of the many bars set around the historic marketplace.

Overnight in Xàtiva.

Miles: 22 Kms: 35

You might want to squeeze in a gentle walk around the old town, before you say goodbye to Xàtiva and head out through the orange groves this morning. It’s the year-round sunshine and region’s Mediterranean climate which simply makes the fruit so good in this part of Spain – and the cycling so sweet! The terrain makes for a gentle journey too, along the floor of the valley where the soil and dry stone walls lining the country lanes are almost as orangey-red as Valencia’s famous sunsets. Part of your gentle journey follows the pilgrimage route which once linked monastic sites in this area, so be sure to stop and explore the imposing monastery at Simat de la Valldigna. Finally, you’ll be sure to work up an appetite as you pedal through the rice fields to the coastal spot of Cullera. Time for a moment on the beach here before risotto or paella anyone?

Overnight in Cullera

Miles: 34 Kms: 55

Two route options today with the longer one leading you along the banks of the River Xúquer at the start of the day. Either way, expect a day of real contrasts as you pedal out across the flatlands of the Albufera nature reserve towards the sand dunes and pine forests of the coast, then up to the vibrant university city of Valencia.

One of the most valuable eco-systems in the Mediterranean, the Albufera is a wonderful haven for birdlife, home to rice paddy fields and citrus groves and, at 3000 hectares, the most vast and magical lagoon. Stop off at the waterside village of El Palmer, where red-rimmed little sailboats deliver the catch almost directly into restaurant kitchens, so the red mullet and magnificent paellas on the menu just couldn’t get any fresher! A boat trip out onto the lagoon is a cool way to while away an hour or so and get a bird’s eye view of the waterfowl, but on this part of your tour it’s always good to keep the binoculars topmost in the panniers.

Head up next along the pine forests of the soft, sandy coast, past the line of individual beaches or ‘platjes’ and the world slowly gathers momentum until it reaches the buzz of bustling Valencia. Don’t miss the busy market hall, a fiesta of colour and delicious local fare, or park up in the Turia Gardens for some time out with tapas plus great views of the town’s historic monuments along the old river valley and on towards the striking contemporary architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences.

Overnight in the old quarter of Valencia.

Miles: 28 / 34 Kms: 46 / 56

Depart after breakfast, or take time for a last wander round Valencia’s historic streets or perhaps a visit to the cathedral or Museum of Fine Arts alongside the Viveros Gardens.

Extra nights can be booked to allow more time to explore Biar or Valencia at your leisure.