Eurovelo 8, Mediterranean route
18 days (12 riding days) on the Eurovelo 8 Mediterranean route. Rest days in Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia and Cocentaina. Ride the Ebro Delta and see where the largest river wholly in Spain empties into the Mediterranean. Eurovelo 8 (EV8) Mediterranean Route is one of many long-distance cycle routes in Europe. As its name suggests, it runs along the Mediterranean, starting in Cadiz in Southern Spain, and going all the way to Turkey with an extension to Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. This tour starts in Barcelona and ends in Alicante. Transfers back to Barcelona from Alicante at the end of the ride are included.
Arrival
Arrive at Alicante and transfer from the airport to Cocentaina.
Denia to Gandia
Transfer by motor vehicle to Valencia and spend the day exploring the city.
Gandia to Villalonga
The longest day of the tour, but fairly flat as we will be riding on the Eurovelo 8 route. Eurovelo is a network of European cycle routes. We will start by riding along the Via Verde Xurra to Sagunto, then on to Castellon de la Plana.
53 miles, 1177 ft.
Villalonga to Lorcha
Now we head inland to get into the heart of El Maestrazgo. A flat start along the coast to start with but we soon start to climb. We first cross the Sierra Desert de les Palmes, then a flatter section before the climb up to La Serratella, a time-forgotten village high in the sierra.
32 miles, 3765 ft.
Cocentaina to Lorcha and back
A small climb and then an exhilarating descent takes us to the neaby town of Albocasser, before the long steady climb begins to Iglesuela del Cid. Iglesuela means 'little church', and El Cid passed through here on one of his campaigns.
35 miles. 3435ft.
Rest day
A slightly easier day to Morella, a town and castle seemingly perched impossibly on top of a hill.
23 miles, 2076 ft.
Cocentaina to Biar
Explore the town or just relax.
Biar to Villena and back
Riding through typically Spanish mountain villages, we approach Castellote through two short tunnels where lights will be needed. Castellote is in the Province of Teruel, the smallest Province in Spain.
34 miles. 3270ft.
Biar to Cocentaina
Truly wild country now with expansive landscapes. We do find a few small villages along the way before reaching our accommodation, La Trucha, a few kilometers from the village of Villarluengo. Hotel La Trucha was originally a paper mill, producing the first paper money in Spain. It later became a textile mill before being converted to a hotel in 1972. In 2022 it underwent extensive modernization to become what it is today. The interior has retained its spectacular architecture.
34 miles. 3893 ft.
Cocentaina to Ibi
This is the hilliest day, with over 5,000 feet of climbing to do. It is also very remote. We will pass through just a few very small villages along the way. Allepuz itself is also very small with a population of just 125. Although this section is in Teruel Province and not El Maestrazgo it is no less spectacular for it.
39 miles. 5271 ft.
Ibi to Torrelano
Not strictly in Albentosa, our accommodation is basically a truck stop on the outskirts, but decent rooms and very good food. Once again, a remote ride with just a few small villages, but only half the climbing of yesterday's ride.
35 miles. 2598 ft.
Tour ends after breakfast
An easier day to Montanejos. We will spend two nights here. Montanejos boasts natural springs a short walk away, ideal for a swim.
27 miles. 1958 ft.
Cocentaina to Ibi
A free day to rest or go for a swim in the natural pools. Or a loop ride (36 miles. 4277 ft.) through pretty villages like Puebla de Arenoso.
Ibi to Torrelano
Nearing the end of our journey we head for the bustling town of Segorbe, but first we cross the Sierra d'Espalda, a spectacular area.
46 miles. 3998 ft.
Tour ends after breakfast
The last day, almost all downhill or flat. We ride along the Via Verde Ojos Negros, Spain's longest Via Verde. It was once a railway taking ore down to the port. We then ride back into Valencia along the Via Verde Xurra which we used at the start.
40 miles. 1161 ft.
Cocentaina to Ibi
A free day to rest or go for a swim in the natural pools. Or a loop ride (36 miles. 4277 ft.) through pretty villages like Puebla de Arenoso.
Ibi to Torrelano
Nearing the end of our journey we head for the bustling town of Segorbe, but first we cross the Sierra d'Espalda, a spectacular area.
46 miles. 3998 ft.
Tour ends after breakfast
The last day, almost all downhill or flat. We ride along the Via Verde Ojos Negros, Spain's longest Via Verde. It was once a railway taking ore down to the port. We then ride back into Valencia along the Via Verde Xurra which we used at the start.
40 miles. 1161 ft.