The coasts and the borders of Spain are the most popular among (sportive) cyclists. The vast, empty interior of Spain boasts beautiful natural areas and impressive cities, but it is clearly less frequented than Northern Spain, the Pyrenees, Catalonia, the Eastern Coast, Andalusia, Mallorca (Balearic Islands), and the Canary Islands. These regions are also where most tour operators, bike rental companies, bike-friendly hotels, and cycling routes can be found.
Throughout Spain’s interior, there are several stunning long-distance routes. Rarely does a cyclist return from these routes without stories of breathtaking landscapes and memorable encounters with the local population—and with plans to cycle in Spain again soon.
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Nowhere in Europe can you start cycling so early in the year and continue for so long as in Spain. I’m writing this text at the beginning of November, and when I look at the weather map, I see that it’s still 18 degrees in the north and 22 degrees in the south.
Of course, during the summer months of July and August, it can get quite warm in many places, but with a bit of planning, you can keep cycling, especially in the north.
In some areas, you can even enjoy cycling during the winter months (December, January, February). And by the end of February, spring is already starting to arrive in the south. Click here for cycling possibilities by month.
Spain is mountainous, filled with large and small mountain ranges. As a cyclist, you’ll often face a climb. Flat cycling is possible along the coast and in the valleys of major rivers like the Ebro and Guadalquivir. The famous Spanish high plateaus, the Meseta, also have flat areas but are often interrupted by mountain ridges and hills.
If you enjoy climbing, Spain offers endless opportunities. The most famous mountains are located behind the northern coast in the Cantabrian Range (e.g., the Angliru), in the Pyrenees, in the Sierra Nevada (with the Pico Veleta, the highest climbable road in Europe), and on the Canary Islands. Additionally, cyclists in well-known cycling areas like Girona, Costa Blanca, and Mallorca have their favorite climbs as well.
The infrastructure in Spain is of exceptional quality. With European funding, slow train lines were transformed into high-speed railways, highways were constructed everywhere, and local roads were resurfaced with new asphalt. When you see that only a few cars drive on these beautiful roads each day, you might wonder if they might have gone a little overboard.
Spaniards have a very positive attitude towards cycling. Their top cyclists are national heroes, and there is a lot of touring and training done on both mountain bikes and road bikes, often in cycling clubs. In many cities, a true cycling culture has emerged, with bike lanes and bike rental services appearing. In a city like Seville, everyone uses bikes to get around. It’s certainly not yet on the level of the Netherlands or Flanders, but the movement is irreversible.
The so-called vías verdes (green ways) are also on the rise. These are old railway tracks that have been converted into bike paths. They are usually gravel paths that wind through natural landscapes. Spaniards themselves are very impressed with these special routes, which collectively span 2,000 km.
The central heartland of Spain is vast and empty. You can travel for hours without encountering much, but as soon as you reach larger villages and towns, you’ll find them bursting with life (well, except during siesta time). In many ways, Spain has become a modern European country, yet it has retained its distinct character. Spain is beautifully large, rugged, and adventurous. It’s a fantastic experience to cycle through its landscapes, especially knowing that you can celebrate the end of your journey with tapas, good company, and a fine glass of wine.
Thijs put together a customized cycling holiday tailored to my personal wishes. Both the inland and the coast of the Costa Brava are truly worth it. I found the personal contact with Thijs to be very pleasant. Read more…
We are a group of 12 “senior” riders and have been biking together for 30 years. We had a fantastic riding experience in Zona Zero with Thijs and Felix as our guides. A really varied program with some serious technical challenges. Read more…
This is the second time we have used Cycling Spain and it has been the best experience. Thijs organized two coaches/guides and a driver to take our 3 boys on 3 wonderful days of guided adventures. Read more…
Great mountain biking organization in Spain, if you want to make the most of your passion without worrying about anything, you’ve come to the right address. Read more…
I booked a mountainbike trip with cycling spain and I loved it! I will definitely book another trip here if I am in Girona again. I could have never found these trails myself. Read more…
Biking with mtb adventures has been the highlight of our trip to Spain. The scenery was gorgeous and the trails were a blast. Read more…
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