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Self-Guided Cycling in Murcia, Southern Spain

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 Trip Length
7 Days
 Trip Starts
Murcia
 Trip Finishes
Murcia
7 Day Self-Guided Cycling in Murcia, Southern Spain Itinerary (Explore)
Countries Explored: Spain
Trip Style
Cycling
Accommodation
Comfortable
Pace
Moderate
Trip Code
CSSM

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Explore's 7 Day Self-Guided Cycling in Murcia, Southern Spain. Ride past white-washed villages and Moorish towers, endless orchards, ancient irrigation 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.

Itinerary

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. Stay: Hotel Cetina (Comfortable)

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) Stay: Hospederia Rual Almunia (Comfortable) (B)

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 Encarnación 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) Stay: Hospederia Rual Almunia (Comfortable) (B)

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) Stay: Hospederia Rural Constitucion (Comfortable) (B)

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) Stay: Hotel San Sebastian (Comfortable)

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 Abarán, 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) Stay: Hotel Cetina (Comfortable) (B)

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. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Cycling trails - Peaceful cycling on converted railway lines (greenways) and quiet roads
  • 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
  • Local wines and cuisine- Re-fuel on delicious Spanish food, Murcia is known as the market garden of Spain

  • Medium length rides suitable for cyclists who are used to undulating routes with occasional energetic climbs. Mainly on trails and quiet roads and you should have a reasonable level of fitness.

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Group Cycling Holidays
Group Cycling Holidays

On a group cycling trip you can enjoy getting to know others & enjoy experiences together but you can still retain your independence. Read more

Explore Leaders
Explore Leaders

Explore's tour leaders, who will speak the local language and know the area, will look after you throughout your cycling holiday. Read more

Where do we Stay?
Where do we Stay?

The places Explore stay are every bit as important as the sights they visit and the things you do. Read more

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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Explore. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Explore. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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