Self-Guided Cycling in Murcia, Southern Spain

Over View

Ride past white-washed villages and Moorish towers, endless orchards, ancient irrigations channels and layers of history on this self-guided cycling holiday in Murcia. Pedal along country lanes, peaceful cycle paths and quiet roads, enjoying historic towns and a striking variety of landscapes.

Pueblos Blancos – Picture-perfect white washed villages of Cieza and the Ricote Valley

Caravaca de la Cruz – One of the world’s 5 holy cities and home to the medieval castle of Santa Cruz

Moorish Castles – Calasparra, Cieza and Moratalla home to restored Moorish castles

Itinerary

Day 1 Trip starts in Murcia

Your cycling holiday starts in Murcia, a small but bustling university town packed with culture. The city of Murcia sits in a fertile plain surrounded by mountains and is in the heart of the region. You will stay at a centrally-located hotel, the ideal base from which to visit some of the city’s great sites. Walk the historic streets to the impressive Murcia cathedral, Bishop’s Palace and Church of San Nicolas de Bari, past elegant ‘fin-de-siecle’ palace and the social club known as ‘El Casino’. You will need to collect your included rental bike today or tomorrow morning depending on your arrival time.

Private transfers are available from Murcia Airport (MJV) or Alicante Airport (ALC) at an additional cost. Please contact our self-guided team for further information.

Day 2 Gentle ride on dedicated cycle path to Caravaca de la Cruz

Today starts with a 45 minute drive to Bullas, from where you get on your bike and follow a gentle route along the Via Verde del Noroeste, a disused railway line converted to a cycling trail. The cycling trail leads you to Caravaca de la Cruz, one of the world’s five Holy Cities according to the Vatican (the others are Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Santo Toribio de Liebana). Pilgrims can obtain Eternal Forgiveness by visiting the Church in Caravaca de la Cruz during a Holy Year (every seven years, 2024 is the next Holy year). The church is part of an impressive fortress founded in 1617. Along the way you will have time to visit the hilltop village of Cehegin, with its fascinating old quarter. Then you can decide whether to continue along the Via Verde to Caravaca or do an extra loop on quiet country roads, cycling past flower and vegetable farms along the River Argos.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 25.5km (with an optional extra 13.5km) (total 300m ascent and 330m descent)

Day 3 Circular route around Caravaca de la Cruz

Enjoy a circular ride around the beautiful and culturally rich area of Caravaca. Cycling past irrigation channels and Elm groves, your route will take you from fountain to fountain passing Roman and Christian sanctuaries and unique sites with remains of Paleolithic, Argaric, Iberian, Roman and Medieval settlements. The route starts with a long but gentle climb to reach the Iberian-Celtic village of Archivel. From here you pick up a way-marked path, which will lead you past tiny villages and farmed fields cycling downhill to La Encarnacin and back to Caravaca. On the last section you follow a well-marked unsurfaced track. Back in Caravaca we recommend you take some time to stroll around the square at Plaza del Arco with its statues of ‘Moros y Cristianos'(Moors and Christians).

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 45km (total 450m ascent and 450m descent)

Day 4 Cycle via Moratalla’s fortress to the hill top town Calasparra

Today’s cycling starts with a quiet section on a country road, pedalling through fields and olive groves with great views of the nearby mountain ranges, Sierra de Segura and Sierra de la Pila. The Moorish village of Moratalla, with its huge castle, comes into view early. We recommend you stop here for lunch and explore the town’s steep narrow lanes and 15th century fortress on foot. Leaving Moratalla you cycle through agricultural landscapes filled with huge olive groves, almond trees and farmed fields. Wherever you find a bit of water and a river nearby, the orchards and vegetables gardens reappear, as do the rice fields as you near Calasparra.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 44km (total 450m ascent and 740m descent)

Day 5 Bike along peaceful country roads to reach the lively town of Cieza

This morning, we strongly recommend you add 13km to your ride with a visit to the Sanctuary of ‘la Virgen de la Esperanza’ (Our Lady of Hope) and enjoy supurb views over the rice fields. Once you get going, heading for Cieza you will encounter very few villages, enjoy peaceful country roads with views to the hills, and the lovely Alfonso XIII Reservoir. As you reach the River Segura the landscape turns into a patchwork of almond and apricot orchards, particularly beautiful in March and April. The last section of today’s ride follows a quiet road along the river to reach the lively town of Cieza with its Moorish hilltop castle, huge cisterns and aqueduct remains.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 32.5km (with an optional extra 13km) (total 350m ascent and 475m descent)

Day 6 Cycle to Archena then along cycle path to Murcia

The Segura River and ancient irrigation channels will mark your way from Cieza to Archena, while offering a complete change of scenery. The Ricote Valley was once a Moorish enclave for which a 10 year battle was fought between the Kingdom of Castile and the Andalusian ruler Ibn Hud. It is characterised with contrasting dry slopes above the green river, and oasis-like orchards studded with palm trees. The white-washed villages of Abarn, Blanca, ‘d3jos and Ulea were Murcia’s last Moorish stronghold in the 15th century. From Archena you will follow inland roads and sections of the Via Verde (cycle path) back into Murcia, crossing some industrial areas and busy towns before a peaceful final section of 12 km along the banks of the river Segura.

Your total cycling distance today is approximately 57km (if you wish to shorten this you can arrange to be picked up after 28km) (total 200m ascent and 340m descent)

Day 7 Trip ends in Murcia

After breakfast, the organised part of your holiday comes to an end. If you have booked another night (and day of bike rental) in Murcia, you can do a short 18 km circular route to the Sanctuary of Murcia’s patron Saint Fuensanta and enjoy the views over the city and its surroundings.

Private transfers are available to Murcia Airport (MJV) or Alicante Airport (ALC) at an additional cost. Please contact our self-guided team for further information.