top of page

castles

&
vineyards

BOOK NOW

fabulous valencia

Valencia is a mountainous region, with a rich history of culture, civilisation, agriculture and wine making. In the 16th Century its wines were considered to be the best in the world and in recent times are seeing a vibrant rebirth at the forefront of organic winemaking. It is home to some of the finest castles in all of Spain, spectacular National Parks and glorious verdant landscapes unfamiliar to many visitors. The gastronomy is second to none and a warm greeting is guaranteed from people keen to welcome to you to the real Valencia.

relaxed week

Our relaxed week explores the Vall d'Albaida, Serra Mariola and the surrounding area. We take you to beautiful climbs, rolling wine county and through stunning National Parks and valleys, to the most scenic villages and historic towns from our countryside base located in the most beautiful corner of Valencia and Alicante. We take time to stop and visit some of the sightseeing highlights and sample the best cafes, restaurants and views to be found anywhere.

 

The week balances fantastic riding with visits to historic sites, towns and vineyards. For more experienced or stronger riders we can also add extra climbs and ride extensions. Some of the climbs are optional as is taking a shorter day on this trip. All of the climbs can be taken at your own pace.

​

who is it for?

Shorter distances and kinder climbs at a more gentle pace. Suited to less experienced riders or those wanting a relaxed week.

You can regularly complete rides of 30km to 50km and above.

how hard is it?

Difficulty: relaxed

Daily distance: 56 km

Total distance: 330 km

Daily climbing: 900 m

Total climbing: 4,500 m

Minimum group size: 4

Maximum group size: 8
 

highlights

Serra Mariola National Park

Historic Xativa castle

Bocairent & Covetes del Moros

Fontanars del Alforins

La Bastida de les Alcusses

Bodega wine tour

Gentler climbs

Optional challenging climbs

Emita Sant Esteve

Beginner friendly descent

Best hand picked cafe stops

Dinner in fantastic restaurants

dates & prices

2019-2020 Season

Availability from £745

​

*B&B Only From £55

Per Person Per Night

​

trip overview

Summary of the weeks riding, daily distances and climbing. Rides extensions available to add more miles and mountains.

​

Day 01 Arrival & welcome reception 

Day 02 fontanars loop - 35 km 500m

Day 03 serra mariola - 71 km 1000m

Day 04 rest day, ride or sightseeing

Day 05 mogente - 60 km 1000m

Day 06 xativa - 70 km 1000m

Day 07 sant esteve - 45 km 1000m 

Day 08 depart

            

The itinerary is indicative of the planned week, it may be adapted according to your arrival and departure flights, local conditions, and to the level of the group - enabling riders to get the best out of their week.​

20181125_160744.jpg

day 01: arrival

One of the escapar team will meet you on arrival at the airport and transport you directly to the retreat.

​

If you are arriving on an early flight and wish to ride after assembling your bike or fitting of our hire bike, we can recommend an easy rolling route towards Albadia or Fontanars. It's locally known for good reason as the 'Tuscany of Valencia'. We have many other routes to choose from, if you want something more challenging.

fontanars option ride elevation profile
Bodegas Los Pinos.jpg

day 02: fontanars loop

Heading straight from the Finca, pristine tarmac immediately takes you onto on beautifully scenic and traffic free country roads, where you'll pass by vineyards, bodegas and castles, with views of the Serra Mariola to your left and Serra Grossa to your right.

We take a stop in Fontanars del Alforins at an inernationally renowned Bodega, where we can sample the local vermouth or simply enjoy a cortado before we head back The return takes us on a perfect beginner friendly descent. to build confidence and fine tune our technique.

Ride extensions include  Font de la Figuera, Villena or the Beniexama climbs. There are no major climbs on the ride.

C&V Fontanars Elevation Profile.jpg
Bocairent .jpg

day 03: serra mariola

A day of stunning riding in and around the Serra Mariola National Park. We climb out of Ontinyent over the Port Bocairent and head towards the Port de Mariola. The riding and scenery is different from that you might have experienced nearer the coast, the land and colours and more vibrant, the fields greener and the mountain tops occasionally snowcapped in winter.

​

We make stops in ancient Bocairent, possibly the best preserved ancient village in Spain and can choose to visit the bullring and hermitage or the Moorish caves in the mountains.  We also stop in Alcoy, City of Bridges before returning via the Serra Mariola and Agres.

Ride extensions include La Cantera and Zapata from Cocentaina. The ride includes climbs of the Portillol, Serra Mariola and Subida a Agres.

​

​

C&V Serra Mariola elevation_profile.jpg
pou clar.jpg

day 04: rest day

On the rest day you can choose to put your feet up and relax at the Finca, go sight seeing, walking or perhaps a gentle spin to a Bodega.

We recommend and can arrange the following:

​

  • Day trip to Valencia

  • Local walk to Pou Clar or Bocairent

  • Sighting, shopping and Menu del Dia in Ontinyent

  • Train ride through the Serra Mariola to Alcoy

  • Wine testing Bodega visit and trip to Villena

  • Day in Xativa and trip to Xativa Castle 

rolling recovery I.jpg
labastida.JPG

day 05: mogente

We roll out from the Finca and drop down to briefly follow the Clariano (Ontinyent) river taking us towards Ontinyent, where it's a short sharp climb backup to cross the stunning Santa Maria bridge and onto the mountains of the Serra Grossa. Our biggest climb of the week takes us up the Port de Portitxol, with stunning views of the Vall D'Albaida, Serra Grossa and Costera plains, matched by a spectacular descent, down through the gorge into Mogente and the nearby El Pobalado Ibero de La Bastida de les Alcusses, a 4th century BC Iberian city of major importance. We continue towards Fontanars del Alforins passing Celler del Roure, where wine is made with ancient amphora.

C&V Mogente elevation_profile.jpg
37 Xativa Castle DSC04006 DSC04006 www.f

day 06: xativa

We ride west and north through the pretty villages of the Vall d'Albaida with stunning views of the Sierra de Benicadell, passing lake Bellus before arriving in Xativa. There's a short climb to the castle, where we stop to explore and take in the most fantastic views in every direction. The castle sits on Vernissa hill on the strategic Via Augusta and was declared a National Monument, having been built and developed by Iberians, Romans and Borgia's.

​

Ride extensions include the stunning El Campello, Port Paller and Port Beniarres and rides towards lake Anna.

C&V Xativa elevation_profile.jpg
Vineyards.jpg

day 07: sant esteve

We finish our week with a ride in Umbria and Tuscany of Valencia, passing the stunning Pou Clar lakes before taking the stunning Port Paller and descending back down towards Ontinyent. We complete the week with the spectacular climb to the Sant Esteve hermitage, that offers unparalled views of the Vall D'Albaida, Serra Grossa and Ontinyent.

C&V Sant Esteve elevation_profile.jpg
what is included?
​

7 nights accommodation

scheduled airport transfers​

daily room cleaning service

cycling kit wash

swimming pool and towels

Wifi

the riding​​
​

5 days guided cycling

support vehicle

mechanical assistance

secure bike storage

comprehensive route guides 

GPX route map files

organisation of rest day trips

food & drink​​
​

welcome reception

continental breakfast

coffee & soft drinks

oost-ride refuel

restaurant bookings

restaurant transport

​

not included
​

flights

travel insurance

road side lunches

cost of evening meals

hire bike insurance 

bottom of page