IberoCycle

Days filled with history, culture, wildlife and gastronomy while cycling along Portugal's famous Algarve coast from Cape St Vincent in Sagres, the most south-western point of Continental Europe, towards Sagres on the border of Spain and Portugal. The lagoon system of Ria Formosa Natural Park, Lagos (the historic center of the Portuguese Age of Discovery), the seafood of the fishing villages of Portimão and Albufeira and the dynamic culture of Faro are only some of the highlights of this diverse moderately challenging 248 km tour.

Highlights

• the biodiversity of Ria Formosa Natural Park
• traditional fishing village of Ria de Alvor
• views from the cliffs at Saint Vincent’s Cape

Ride through hidden Andalusia, in an area the tourists rarely see. A wonderful combination of limestone mountains, olive trees, white villages - the essence of Andalusia. The people will give you a warm welcome and you will encounter unique customs, superb Mediterranean gastronony and beautiful countryside. And take the opportunity to combine the tour with a visit to the incomparable cites of Granada, Córdoba and Málaga.

Highlights:

• whitewashed, geranium-bedecked Priego de Córdoba
• 9th century castle in Moorish village of Zuheros
• walking tour to Bailón Canyon & Cave of the Bats

Cantabria & Asturias 8-Day Tour is a self-guided, circular "move-on-each-day" route through eight different locations, combining coastline, fishing ports and green valleys with the backdrop of the Picos de Europa. From the medieval village of Santillana del Mar, with its Romanesque cloister and Altamira Caves museum, the route heads through the lemon groves of Novales to Comillas, with its harbour and Gaudí's El Capricho, then along the beaches of Oyambre and Merón, past the fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera, to Pechón.

Crossing into Asturias at Unquera, past the sumptuous villas of Colombres, the route follows the Sierra de Cuera to the fishing village of Llanes, then on to Arenas de Cabrales, close to the Picos de Europa, where riders can swap the bike for a hike through the dramatic Cares Gorge or a funicular ride to the mountain village of Bulnes, finishing the day with Cabrales blue cheese and Asturian cider.

The route continues along the limestone gorge of the River Cares to the Nansa Valley, with an optional detour to the stalactite caves of El Soplao, then through the rural village of Carmona to Cabuérniga, Cantabria's oldest village, with a side trip to Bárcena Mayor and the mountain pass of Palombera. The final stage follows the River Saja and Besaya through the medieval village of Riocorvo to the spa hotel at Puente Viesgo, with its prehistoric cave paintings at Monte Castillo.

Highlights:

• Beautiful headland of Pechón
• Cantabria's oldest village, Bárcena Mayor, near Cabuérniga
• Lemon groves of Novales and Comillas' El Capricho by Gaudí
• Landlocked beach of Gulpiyuri near Llanes
• Cares Gorge hike or funicular to the mountain village of Bulnes, with Cabrales blue cheese
• Spa hotel and prehistoric cave paintings at Puente Viesgo

Surface and terrain:
Generally easy to intermediate cycling. Shorter and longer route options supplied for most days. Carbon, e-road, trekking and e-hybrid bikes offered.

Suitable for:
Self-guided cyclists wanting a full circular tour of Cantabria and Asturias, with flexible daily distances and an optional hiking day in the Picos de Europa.

A great tour through the beautiful region of the Empordà. Visit different wineries, beautiful medieval villages, rice fields and olive oil mills, beaches and seaside fishing villages, the Greek-Roman ruins of Empúries and the park of Aiguamolls dEmpordà. Finally, we reach Figueres, famous for the Dalí Theatre Museum, and birthplace of the great artist. Enjoy two winery visits, and also the option of 2 tasting menus at well-known Michelin restaurants.

Highlights

• fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell
• Greek & Roman ruins dating from 600BC in Empúries
• Wine Museum of the Peralada Castle

The ride is designed for families with children. Distances are short and the riding is along the old railway line know as El Carrilet which has now been converted into a popular cycle path, thus making this tour absolutely ideal for smaller children.

Santander to Gijón follows the coastline of "Green Spain" from Cantabria into Asturias, linking bay-front Santander with the smaller city of Gijón via a string of fishing villages and beach towns. The route runs along the waterfront and El Sardinero beaches out of Santander, past the unspoilt beaches of Liencres and along a stretch of the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail, before reaching the medieval village of Santillana del Mar.

Riders continue west through lemon groves and the Modernist architecture of Comillas, including Gaudí's El Capricho, and through Oyambre Natural Park to San Vicente de la Barquera. Crossing into Asturias near Pechón, the route passes the emigrant villas of Colombres and the Sierra de Cuera before reaching Llanes, then a string of beaches, including the landlocked Gulpiyuri, to Ribadesella.

The final stages pass dinosaur footprints and the Jurassic Museum at Colunga en route to Villaviciosa, heart of Asturian cider country, before finishing in Gijón.

Highlights:

• The elegant seaside resort of Santander
• Tapas of Santander, anchovies of Cantabria, cider of Asturias, cheeses from the Picos de Europa
• Mountain and ocean views from the fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera
• The charming fishing villages of Asturias: Llanes, Ribadesella, Lastres
• Dinosaur footprints and the Jurassic Museum of Colunga

Surface and terrain:
Coastal route through Cantabria and Asturias, hilly at times but with no long climbs; rated generally easy to intermediate. Daily distances 36-54 km. Carbon road, trekking, e-road and e-hybrid bikes offered; own bike accepted (transfer supplement applies).

Weather:
Season runs 28 March-25 October, spanning Cantabria and Asturias' mild, changeable coastal climate; no specific temperature or rainfall figures published.

Suitable for:
Self-guided cyclists comfortable with easy-to-intermediate coastal riding and short hilly sections, daily distances up to 54 km. Own-bike and e-bike riders catered for; helmets compulsory in Spain.

Cyclists will have a fantastic view of this region, inland and coast. A great variety of landscapes , such as medieval villages, little coves or traditional fishing villages. It's a challenging route for medium level cyclists, due to its gradients that include mountains passes between 5 and 10 long. This route takes you also to Cap de Creus, the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula.

Highlights

• picturesque fishing village of Callella
• Greek and Roman ruins dating from 600BC in Empúries
• Salvador Dalí Museum in Figueres

Take part in this ancient pilgrimage. The Camino de Santiago route along the coast of Northern Spain, from San Sebastián to Santiago de Compostela.

Highlights

• the camaraderie of sharing the route with a multitude of pilgrims
• beautiful cities and villages along the coast of Spain
• ever-changing scenery as we cross Northern Spain from east to west
• the indescribable sensation of arriving in Santiago

This journey invites you to explore one of the wildest regions of Girona, cycling through picturesque fields and farmhouses in the east of the city, specifically within Adrià's Valley. Subsequent stages will delve into the captivating Empordà region, renowned for its stunning landscapes. Initially, the route will skirt the coastline, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Later, it will venture inland, uncovering the hidden gems and charming villages nestled within the Empordà Valley. The final stages will take place in Cap de Creus, a magnificent natural park situated in the northernmost part of Empordà.

• Medium/Advanced Gravel Adventure: Experience the diverse terrain of this captivating region.
• Girona's Gravel Paradise: Explore a stunning landscape of challenging climbs, thrilling descents, rolling fields, and enchanting forests.
• Coastal & Inland Exploration: Cycle through historic vineyards and olive groves, while conquering challenging mountain passes with breathtaking coastal views.
• Unveiling Hidden Gems: Discover the region's rich history and charming villages, encountering ancient castles, picturesque farmhouses, and quaint churches nestled amidst the natural beauty.

A route of open horizons with infinite olive groves. These in turn give way to the beautiful mountain scenery. The villages are whitewashed and bedecked with geraniums. Our final stop is Granada, to enjoy the magnificent spectacle of the palace / fortress of La Alhambra, the last stronghold of Moslem Spain set against the spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountains of the Iberian Peninsula. The essence of Spain.

Highlights:

• El Albayzín and La Alhambra in Granada
• town of Lucena - the "Pearl of the Three Cultures"
• views and forests of Sierra Subbética

This is a self-guided loop around Mallorca, one of the world's premier road cycling destinations and a favourite training ground for professional riders. From the beachfront base of Ca'n Pastilla, the route heads south-east along the Bahía de Palma before turning inland through windmill-dotted countryside to the hilltop Santuari de Cura and Santuari de Monti-Sion, finishing at the beach resort of Colonia de Sant Jordi.

The route continues past the Roman salt works at Ses Salines and the beach of Cala Mondragó to Porto Cristo, with its underground boat trip through the Cuevas del Drac, then on to Cala Ratjada via the Rafael Nadal Academy at Manacor and the stalactite caves of Artà. A ride past the medieval streets of Artà and the wetlands of the Parc Natural de S'Albufera leads to Port de Pollença, with an optional day out to the dramatic cliffs of Cape Formentor.

The tour's centrepiece is the Sierra de Tramuntana: an ascent to the monastery at Lluc, then the legendary one-way descent (and return climb) of Sa Calobra, one of the most famous climbs in the world, before reaching Port de Sóller via the villages of Fornalutx and Biniaraix. The final stage passes through Deià and Valldemossa, once home to Robert Graves and Chopin respectively, along the dramatic Tramuntana coastline back to Palma de Mallorca and Ca'n Pastilla.

Highlights:

• Santuari de Cura and Santuari de Monti-Sion hilltop viewpoints
• Underground boat trip through the Cuevas del Drac at Porto Cristo
• Cuevas de Artà and the castle of Capdepera
• Optional ride to the Cape Formentor lighthouse
• The legendary Sa Calobra descent and climb in the Sierra de Tramuntana
• Villages of Deià and Valldemossa, once home to Robert Graves and Chopin

Surface and terrain:
Sealed roads throughout. PDF describes the tour as "generally easy to intermediate," though this appears templated given the Sa Calobra climb and 130 km days. Route options on 5 of 7 riding days. Road, gravel and e-bike rentals available.

Weather:
Mallorca enjoys mild temperatures year-round; July and August can be hot and humid. Spring and autumn are the ideal cycling seasons.

Suitable for:
Self-guided cyclists comfortable with genuinely demanding days, including the Sa Calobra climb, though shorter route options on most days make it adaptable for less experienced riders too.