Aragon to Valencia – 7 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 6 Nights
Distance: 35 Miles/day average
Dates: Apr 12, May 10, Jun 7, Aug 30, Sep 27, 2015 (minimum 3 participants)
Tour price: €1055
Start city: Ojos Negros region, Spain
End city: Valencia, Spain
Tour Description
This tour takes you from the ancient iron mines of Ojos Negros in Aragon, to the city of Valencia, near the Mediterranean Sea.
You will cycle from the steppe city of Teruel to the Mediterranean Sea going across the Sarrión high plateau, and Palancia’s Valley, with a drop of more than 3937 ft/1200 m. This route offers an insight into emblematic cities such as Teruel, Jerica Segorbe, Sagunto and Valencia itself, the capital of ancient Kingdom of Valencia.
The old iron mines of Ojos Negros are located in Sierra Menera, the boundary of the old medieval kingdoms of Aragon and Castile. The striking Peracense Castle is settled on the slopes of the Sierra Menera. From this overwhelming steppe landscape, the route will follow the former mining railway closed in 1972, to Santa Eulalia.
From this small town, Santa Eulalia, you will begin your tour through the longest greenway in Spain. From Teruel, a UNESCO World Heritage city, you will start the descent towards the Mediterranean Sea going through The Sarrión high plateau and Palancia’s Valley, Jerica and Segorbe. Finally, you will arrive at Sagunto and Puerto de Sagunto, the endpoint of the ancient railway at the Mediterranean Sea. This beautiful journey is interrupted by many tunnels and viaducts. From Sagunto, an ancient Roman city destroyed by Hannibal and his African elephants, you will arrive at Valencia along the old Roman road Via Xurra, currently a greenway and bike path.
Valencia, the former Renaissance capital of the Kingdom of Valencia, welcomes you with the stunning City of Arts and Sciences, designed by one of the greatest minds of Valencia, the architect Santiago Calatrava.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Valencia Day 2: Ojos Negros – Cella (32 miles/50 km) Day 3: Cella – Puebla de Valverde (35 miles/56 km) Day 4: Puebla de Valverde – Jérica (42 miles/67 km) Day 5: Jérica – Puerto de Sagunto (37 miles/59 km) Day 6: Puerto de Sagunto – Valencia (29 miles/46 km) Day 7: Departure Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided Hybrid touring and mountain bike rental includes the following equipment: Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
After your arrival at Valencia, you will be transferred to Jerica.
Overnight in Jerica.
After breakfast, you will transfer to Ojos Negros, an old mining town. The route follows two old railway paths. For the first stage, you head towards Santa Eulalia with the ancient railway on your right. Once in Santa Eulalia, you cycle towards Cella, over Jiloca’s Valley.
Overnight in Cella.
After breakfast, you continue your journey across the plains up to the city of Teruel. Before you start the uphill track to Escandon, you leave the greenway to follow the road of Alcañiz towards the city and then return to the Via Verde across the same road.
Overnight in Puebla de Valverde.
Today you will cycle through the Sarrion high plateau, between Escancon and Barracas, an area where it frequently rains. The route passes through groves of Mediterranean Oaks and ancient trees of Savin of great botanical value. From the impressive Wind Park of Barracas, you begin a 3280 ft/1000 m descent to the Mediterranean. The stretch along Barracas-Rio Palancia is a continuous descent of 22 miles/35 km. In this area there are numerous viaducts and tunnels some of them are over 1640 ft/500 m long.
Overnight in Jerica.
The stretch between the Masia Novales and Navajas is the most commonly used by cyclists because of the easy access to the rail service. From Algimia, the route continues through a combination of rural roads that leads to Puerto de Sagunto, near the Mediterranean Sea. This city was born with the arrival of the mining rail road and nowadays is a dynamic industrial city. There are numerous restaurants close to the beach area where you can dine.
Overnight in Puerto de Sagunto.
The route today takes you back to Sagunto, where you can see the old castle. From there through the magnificent orange orchard of Sagunto, you will reach Puçol, where you begin a tour of the Via Xurra, another former railway line converted into a greenway and cycle path leading to the city of Valencia. Here you could take a two-hour guided tour, in English or Spanish, that you book in advance for an extra cost.
Overnight in Valencia.
You will be transferred to the airport or train station for your onward travels.
Bikes available to rent on this tour (must be booked in advance at time of booking):
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
If you plan to bring your own seat, please ensure that it has a universal seat post.
Helmet rental available on this tour for €12. However, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes. Wearing helmets is compulsory in Spain.
