Costa Blanca

CYCLE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING ROUTES, SOAK UP SOME SUN, AND GET A TASTE OF SPAIN IN COSTA BLANCA

Alicante’s coastal region, Costa Blanca, is a great place for cycling and a popular training base for professional cycling teams in the winter. It is home to two of the most highly respected hot-spots, Denia and Calpe.

Why choose Costa Blanca for a biking trip? The sunny, warm climate throughout the year and superb mountains make for excellent cycling. Explore the wide range of climbs of differing lengths and challenge yourself with the gradients.

Choose your routes carefully to get fantastic road surfaces and very little traffic. And what more? The region is served by Alicante airport, which is linked to many European destinations, making it super accessible.

PRO TEAMS TRAIN HERE

Be prepared to spot a wolfpack of pros now and then. The perfect cycling conditions and warm weather make Costa Blanca’s towns a favourite among the pro peloton teams.

Hit the roads at Denia for a mix of terrain. The flat sections and varied hill climbs make for epic routes for road cyclists, mountain bikers, and time trial riders.

Want to take it up a notch? Check out Calpe. With rolling roads, mountain roads, and plenty of flat roads in between, this is a truly amazing place to pedal.

FANTASTIC LOCATION TO TAKE IT EASY

We know we come to ride, but it’s equally important that you also get a good holiday. Costa Blanca’s gorgeous beaches and superb tourist infrastructure do just that – make you happy off the bike.

Spring time promises vibrant orange groves and pink-tinged almond blossom lining the perfectly smooth roads. Mountain routes offer sensational views of the Meditteranean sea, glistening along the coast. Take in a deep breath and relax into this natural beauty around you.

TAKE A BITE OF Costa Blanca

Both the coast and the interior of the Costa Blanca region offer a wide palette of restaurants and tapas bars that have the very best of Spanish gastronomy. There are local wineries that produce popular wines and are definitely worth a visit while you are here.

A trip to Spain is not complete without sampling the fantastic foods. Costa Blanca has a strong connection between both land and sea. Make sure you try a delicious paella with fresh seafood, packed full of the flavour of the region.

DON'T MISS THIS

Costa Blanca is full of epic mountain climbs and stunning coastal roads. There is something for everyone, no matter your experience level. Make sure you check these famous spots from your cycle list while you are in the region.

COLL DE RATES

A smooth 5% gradient on the great road surfaces and phenomenal views of the valley below make Coll de Rates a world-class spot. It is only a 6km climb which is ideal for training. Even though most riders use Strava now, there is an old fashioned ticketing machine at the bottom and top of this climb for timing your ride.

VALL D'EBO

This 8km stretch is on a 6% incline, gradually winding up to the summit. Are you up for a harder challenge? Carry on past the Pego summit on to Tollos for a further 15km of more intense, sharper climbs for a real test of your fitness.

CUMBRE DEL SOL

A climb definitely not for the faint-hearted. The Cumbre del Sol route is often part of the Vuelta a España featuring hairpins and sharp climbs. Make it to the top and be rewarded with unbelievable views of the coast and the mountain you've just conquered.

Port de Tudons

At 15.3km and 4.4% gradient, this climb is one of the biggest challenges in the Calpe area due to the length. The scenery is picturesque with stunning views of Puig Campana mountain. We recommend hitting this as part of a longer route to make the most out of the incredible landscape.

5 rides in Costa Blanca

Calpe to Oliva Loop

Distance

185 km

Gain

3000 m

Road

Loop

Time

8 hours

If you really want to test your aerobic endurance, or are just a glutton for punishment, then the 185km loop from Calpe to Oliva and back through the mountains is the ride for you. A whole day in the saddle with over 3000m of climbing – that’s a big task even for some of the fittest riders. The route takes in the coastal resort of Denia (stop for ice cream!) before heading to Oliva (65km in). It’s here where the big climbs start - and don’t let up for 90km! Pace yourself, watch that heart rate, and we are sure you will have an amazing day on the pedals.

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Gaudalest and Serra Gelada

Distance

98 km

Gain

1655 m

Road

Loop

Time

4 hours

A day of climbs and views, and a real mix of old and new in stunning natural surroundings. At just under 100km long and with 1655m of climbing it’s challenging but, with the views and the history it’s a great ride for a zone 2 day.

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Coll de Rates and Port De Bernia Loop

Distance

116 km

Gain

2034 m

Road

Loop

Time

5 hours

A tough day out on the bike taking in some of the best climbing in Costa Blanca. With just over 115km of pedal turning and 2000m of elevation gain, it's a surefire way to empty the tank and boost endorphins.

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Puerto de Ebo

Distance

8 km

Gain

Road

440 m

Time

30 min

Puerto de Ebo follows the CV-712 from Vall d'Ebo, heading over the pas towards the Costa Blanca. This is a short and fairly easy climb, with regular gradients. It's popular with professional cyclists.

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Port de Tudons

Distance

15.3

Gain

754 m

Road

Time

~50 mins

Port de Tudons is one of the most popular cycling climbs in the Valencia Community, a favoured training ground of professional riders, and features several times in the Vuelta a España.

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