The Best Bike Routes In Spain For Locals And Visitors

The Tour de France may be Europe’s most famous bike race, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find equally amazing bike routes in Spain. Avid cyclists head to Spain to enjoy some of its most exciting and exhilarating cycle routes.

Some of the best dedicated cycle routes in the country are known as ‘vías verdes’ or greenways. These are actually disused railway lines that have been converted into cycling routes and are now considered a fun, easy, and environmentally friendly way to explore the country. They are often also great starter routes for those new to long-distance cycling.

Other routes in Spain that can be completed by low and mid-level cyclists pass through some of the countries most beautiful national parks and attractions. With that in mind, here are ten of the best bike routes in Spain that can be enjoyed by cyclists of all levels:

The TransAndalus in Andalusia

Andalusia is one of the most beautiful regions in Spain and this huge cycle trail gives bike riders the opportunity to explore all eight of its provinces. This trail is around 2,000km long, so it’s not for the faint hearted, but it is possible to complete just a small section if you’re looking for a shorter ride. There are 23 different stages to the path that you can create your own route from.

Some of the sights cyclists can experience as part of this journey include:  The Sierra Nevada, Doñana and Cabo de Gata national parks. 

Vía Verde de Ojos Negros in Aragon and Valencia

The Via Verde de Ojos is the longest greenway in Spain. At 160km long at runs from the town of Ojos Negros, in the province of Teruel to Sagunto, on the Valencian coast. Because it is such a long route it has been divided into two sections so that you can choose to do a shorter version of the greenway if you prefer.

Whether you choose to follow the whole route or a shorter version of the route, you can enjoy incredible views of river valleys or the shoes of the Mediterranean.

Vía Verde de la Sierra in Cádiz, Andalusia

This is the second route in Andalusia to feature on this list and although it is considerably shorter than the other at just 22 miles, it is small but perfectly formed.

What makes this greenway unique is that it  passes through no less than 30 tunnels and over four viaducts, as well as valleys and river banks. It is an easy to handle, traffic-free ride, meaning that it is frequently chosen by families.

Ruta Don Quijote in Castilla-La Mancha

Don Quijote is one of Spain’s must famous literary heroes and this gargantuan route gives literary lovers the opportunity to follow in his fictional footsteps. The route covers over 1500 miles  and runs through all five of the region's provinces, but it's split up into 10 sections, making it easy to select the section of the route that will work best for you.

This route is considered a European Culture Route and is a great way to explore the heart of rural Spain. The route travels through two National Parks, six natural parks and six nature reserves.

 Vía Verde del Val del Zafán in Aragon and Catalonia

If you’re looking for a cycle route that will take you past beautiful blue waterways at every turn then this is the path for you. This route will pass through the regions of Bajo Martín, Bajo Aragón, Matarraña, Terra Alta and Baix Ebre.

This is one of the straightest and most straightforward greenways on this list making it a great option for new or inexperienced distance cyclists.

Camino de Santiago

This is one of the most famous voyages for Pilgrims not only in Spain but in wider Europe. It is often walked, but increasingly bike riders are choosing to cycle the 500 mile route.

Known as the French Way, you can either complete the full route or just a portion. To gain the Pilgrimage Certificate for completing the route you should do at least 200km of the complete track.

Vía Verde del Carrilet in Catalonia

This is a relatively short ride that only covers 35.4 miles and can be completed in just a couple of hours. That makes it ideal for beginners.

The route is signposted well and often used by hikers. The route is a beautiful one and you will wind your way through  fields, forests and bridges, with the towering ancient volcanoes as your backdrop. It’s a great introduction to cycling in Spain. 

Vía Verde Tajuna in Madrid

It is rare that there are incredible cycle paths available to city dwellers without having to travel extensive distances. But this path in Madrid is easy to access from the city:  Simply get off at the last stop on Metro line 9 (Arganda del Rey) and you can start peddling.

At just over 30 miles this is one of the shortest cycle route on this list, but it is a beautiful ride that passes through a series of quaint villages. Another factor that makes this cycle route special is that it is equipped for hiking and for people with disabilities or reduced mobility.

 
Vía Verde del Plazaola in Navarra and the Basque Country

This is considered to be one of the most beautiful greenways is the 66.5km (41.3 miles). It passes through two different Spanish regions and gives cycliststhe chance to explore highlights of rural Spain such as  forests and meadows.

The highlight of the route includes passing through the longest tunnel you can cycle through in Spain.

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