Spain by bike, from Elche to Valencia on EuroVelo 8

EuroVelo 8 Spain by bike from Elche to Valencia

Departing from the arid landscapes of Elche and the province of Alicante, you head north towards Valencia. As you cycle, the scenary gradually turns greener until you reach the Albufera Natural Park with its rice fields. Following the EuroVelo 8 in Spain, you visit towns with remarkable heritage (Elche, Alicante, Alcoy, Valencia) and cycle through varied landscapes (palm groves, orange groves, valleys, pine forests, rice fields, Mediterranean coast...) and magnificent. Combinong culture, heritage and nature, this sunny circuit will bring a smile to your face!

Day 1: arrival in Elche

With many UNESCO World Heritage sites, the city of Elche is the perfect starting point for this cycling trip in Spain. Take some time to visit the palm grove or enjoy a stroll along the banks of the river Vinalopó.

Overnight in Elche

Day 2: from Elche to Alicante - 40 km / + 150 m

Today's route is quite easy and very pleasant. Perfect for getting your legs warmed up! The landscape is remarkable even though it’s one of the driest region in Europe. Palm groves and orchards line your path. In Alicante, we recommend visiting the Santa Bárbara Castle, perched high above the city and offering a lovely view of the surrounding area. Postiguet beach and the port are also worth a short walk.

Overnight in Alicante

Day 3: from Alicante to Castalla - 50 km / + 800 m

This is the most challenging stage of this circuit on the EuroVelo 8. Leaving the coast behind, you head inland towards Castalla, following the Maigmó greenway, which links Alicante to Alcoy. As you cycle, pine trees are gradually replacing palm trees. The route will take you past two magnificent viaducts: Forn del Vidre (140 m) and Palomaret (200 m).

Overnight in Castalla

Day 4: from Castalla to Alcoy - 35 km / +200 m

Today, the route is kinder to your calves a short stage with and only a quarter of the elevation gain compared to the day before. It’s the perfect opportunity to really enjoy the Font Roja Natural Park and its typically Mediterranean landscapes.

Overnight in Alcoy

Day 5: from Alcoy to Gandía - 55 km / + 150 m

Today's stage brings you back to the sea. You follow the Serpis River and the former railway line that once passed through Villalonga. Your stage ends in Gandía, a seaside resort with vast sandy beaches. We recommend you to taste fideuá, a delicious and emblematic local specialty. 

Overnight in Gandia

Day 6: from Gandía to Cullera - 35 km / + 50 m

Follow the route through marshes, orange groves and other orchards until you reach the first rice fields of the Albufera Natural Park. An enormous rock welcomes you to Cullera, where a castle stands perched above the city. At the foot, immense and pretty beaches stretch out along the coastline.

Overnight in Cullera

Day 7: from Cullera to Valencia - 60 km / + 100 m

This last day of cycling takes place along the Mediterranean coast, passing through marshes and rice fields. A little further, you cycle along the best beaches of the province of Valencia in the heart of the natural park, with its dunes. The entry into Valencia is a beautiful one, through the City of Arts and Sciences, an emblematic building of the city.

Day 8: Valencia

End of the tour after breakfast.

General information :

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Standard version : 2/3/4* hotels and charming guests houses
• Child rates: contact us

2025 dates :

• Departure every day from February to November
• Low season:
  • from 01/02 to 13/03
  • from 16/04 to 30/06
  • from 15/09 to 30/11
• High season:
  • from 14/03 to15/04
  • from 01/07 to 14/09

Included :

• 7 nights with breakfasts
• Visit of the Palace of Benicarló (or similar activity)
• Baggage transfer
• Travel book
• GPS App
• Assistance (except in case of puncture)

Not included :

• Transportation to the starting point
• Return from Valencia
• Lunches and dinners
• Drinks
• Parking
• Visits and personal expenses
• Anything not specified in “included”

The options :

• Standard bike or ebike rental
• Additional night(s) in Elche or Valencia
• Theft guarantee for the rented bike
• Multi-risk cancellation insurance

Level:
1 2 3 4 5 6

Climate :
temperate Mediterranean climate over most of the territory with hot and dry summers. High temperatures in July and August.
 

Technicality and terrain:

This tour presents no particular difficulties execpt on day 3.

• 35 to 60 km per day, 3 to 6 hours of cycling
• Between 50 and 200 m of positive altitude difference except day 3, + 800 m
• Circuit mainly on greenways or cycle paths. Some sections are on secondary roads with light traffic.

 
Meal :

• Breakfasts: copious (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, bread butter, jam, orange juice) or buffet
• Lunches: not included
• Dinners: not included.

The bike :

• Rental bike: standard bike or ebike delivered at the first hotel. Equipped with helmet, basic kit reparation and a lock.
• Personal bike: Standard and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to service your bicycle before leaving. At the end of your tour, you will need to take care of your bike.

 
Support:
Assistance in the event of a breakdown (except punctures for which we do not intervene).
 

Luggage:
They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage per person.
 
Travel book  :
A travel book will be send by post before departure. We will provide you with detailed maps and a description of the routes, sent to your home before departure. 

Transport:

• By train: approximately 20 hours from Paris
• By road: Elche is 1600km from Paris.
• By plane: Murcia or Alicante airports.  

Cancellation insurance :
In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, please click here.