Arrival

Transfer from Alicante airport and arrive at first hotel in Denia.

Denia to Gandia

We begin at the coast in Denia, where the Mediterranean light feels almost theatrical. We will visit Denia Castle before setting off on our first Via Verde, the Via Verde de Denia, which takes us towards Gandia — a warm-up ride through orchards and farmland. It connects smoothly with the Via Verde de la Safor, which carries you inland between citrus groves and small towns.
These opening days are easy riding: wide gravel paths, minimal climbing, and the scent of orange blossom in the air.

35 kms. 190 metres of ascent. 

Gandia to Villalonga

Over roughly 20 kms of mostly flat terrain, the ride feels relaxed and rhythmic. Quiet lanes and occasional mixed surfaces offer a peaceful contrast to the coastal buzz you’ve left behind, and the gentle roll of olive and orange groves to either side gives a timeless quality to the journey. 

Approaching Villalonga, the landscape subtly shifts — low hills rise in the distance, and the outlines of the Serra de la Safor begin to shape the horizon. It’s here, amid quiet countryside and the welcoming outline of this inland town, that you truly feel the charm of cycling the EV8: a thread connecting Mediterranean beaches with rural heartlands, inviting you to slow down, breathe deep, and enjoy every pedal stroke.

20kms miles. 195 metres. 

Villalonga to Lorcha

The terrain begins to change as you join the Via Verde del Serpis, one of the most scenic stretches of the entire trip. The distance is very short, reflecting the terrain which on this stretch is quite challenging as the surface is poor in places.
Here the route follows the Serpis River through a limestone gorge. Sheer cliffs rise dramatically above the path, and old railway tunnels punctuate the ride. The steady gradient — once designed for trains — makes climbing feel almost effortless, although the surface is quite rough in places. Water flows below, reeds rustle in the breeze, and the sense of remoteness grows stronger with every kilometre. We will be able to take a short walk to the ruins of Perputxent Castle. We will transfer from Lorcha to Cocentaina by motor vehicle.

You feel you are leaving the coast behind and entering wild mountain country. 

15kms. 307 metres. 

Cocentaina to Lorcha and back

Setting off from Cocentaina, a historic town tucked beneath the Sierra de Mariola, we ride to Lorcha using quiet roads. After roughly 20 kilometers, we reach Lorcha (also known as L’Orxa). The village sits quietly in the valley, with a handful of cafés and bars where cyclists gather for coffee and a bocadillo. It’s the perfect turnaround point. There's something deeply satisfying about leaning your bike against a sun-warmed wall, helmet off, legs pleasantly tired, and enjoying a simple coffee before the return journey. 

We return to Cocentaina on the old railway line that once connected Alcoy to Gandía, now transformed into a greenway ideal for cycling. The path is peaceful. You might see walkers, other cyclists, or the occasional trail runner, but it never feels crowded. The only real sounds are birds, wind in the trees, and the hum of tyres on compact gravel. 

The beauty of a Via Verde is the gentle gradient. Because trains once ran here, the grade is steady and manageable. You can settle into an easy rhythm, spinning comfortably rather than grinding up steep hills.

50kms. 573 metres. 

Rest day

An opportunity to take a rest, visit the weekly market in Cocentaina, or take a brisk walk up to the castle which overlooks the town.

Cocentaina to Biar

The Via Verde de Xixarra is expansive and atmospheric. It once connected inland towns to the coast, and today it carries cyclists through open valleys, almond groves, and wide agricultural plains. The Via Verde del Xixarra carries you southwest through open farmland, almond groves, and fields edged by dry-stone walls. The route feels spacious and unhurried. Old railway infrastructure still punctuates the journey— station buildings, bridges, and occasional cuttings carved through rock. 

You’ll pass near small inland towns such as Muro de Alcoy and Banyeres de Mariola, where the surrounding hills tighten, and pine forests begin to dominate the skyline. The presence of the Parque Natural de la Serra de Mariola adds a sense of wildness, especially in Spring when wildflowers and herbs scent the air. 

As you approach Biar, the scenery subtly changes. The medieval castle perched above the town becomes visible from a distance, rising from a rocky hill like a sentinel guarding the route. The final stretch feels more satisfying than exhausting, thanks to the gentle railway gradient. 

Biar itself is a perfect reward at the end of the ride. Its narrow streets, ancient houses, and central plaza invite a slow wander. Stopping for coffee or lunch in the old town, with Biar Castle towering above which we will visit, gives the ride a strong sense of arrival.

47 kms. 527 metres. 

Biar to Villena and back

After a steady and mostly gentle ride, you approach Villena. The town announces itself dramatically with the imposing Castillo de la Atalaya, which we will be visiting, rising above the rooftops. Its twin towers and solid stone walls are visible from afar, guiding you in like a medieval lighthouse. We return to Biar on the Via Verde Xixarra.

21 kms. 205 metres.   

Biar to Cocentaina

There is a stiff climb at first out of the town. Arriving in Alcoy via the Via Verde de Alcoy, you sense the region’s industrial past. High bridges and impressive viaducts span deep ravines. This stretch blends engineering heritage with dramatic scenery. The last part of today’s ride is on the Via Verde del Serpis, which we were on a few days ago.

48 kms. 509 metres.

Cocentaina to Ibi

Starting in Cocentaina the ride follows mainly traffic-free paths that make up the old railway transformed into the Vía Verde de Alcoy, which also forms part of Eurovelo 8. This former train line heads toward Alcoy through a series of tunnels and viaducts, framed by Mediterranean pines, oaks and the distinctive landscapes of the Font Roja and Mariola natural parks. The terrain here gently climbs, and the compacted earth/asphalt surface is ideal for trekking or gravel bikes. Along the way you’ll find rest areas, informative signs and scenic highlights like the striking Puente de las Siete Lunas. 

Alcoy to Ibi continues largely on the same greenway corridor, about 10 km more, still separated from road traffic and winding through open countryside and quiet woodlands.

30 kms. 497 metres.

EuroVelo 8 (Ruta del Mediterráneo) is a long-distance cycling route that crosses the Mediterranean coast of Europe and includes this inland stretch around Alcoy as part of its planned network, connecting local greenways like this to a broader continental itinerary. 

Ibi to Torrelano

The final major stretch, the Via Verde del Maigmó, is perhaps the most dramatic. This route climbs gradually toward the beginning of the Via Verde. The Maigmó then passes through a series of tunnels and sweeping curves carved into the rock. 

The railway engineering ensures a gradual descent. Pine forests are replaced by farmland. Each tunnel frames a new panorama of rugged hills and distant coastline. 

The final part is pure reward: long, gentle descents and expansive views toward the Mediterranean once again. The landscape feels familiar now — but you’ve seen it from the inside, not just from the shore.

66 kms. 395 metres.

Tour ends after breakfast

Transfer to Alicante airport.