Costa Blanca: the best spot for bike touring
We often think of Alicante as a sun-and-beach destination, and the first thing that comes to our minds is either Benidorm or Torrevieja with their crowded beaches. However, we don’t realize everything Costa Blanca has to offer.
Considering that the Costa Blanca has one of the best climates in the world, with more than 325 days of sunshine a year and moderate temperatures, and the province’s topography—high-quality beaches and a wide variety of mountains—, no wonder that numerous tourists, athletes, and even professional teams choose the Costa Blanca for their training and activities, or even to live there.
Due to the varied terrain of the province, Costa Blanca offers many cycling routes: road cycling routes, mountain passes, and mountain biking.
The inland and northern part of the province has the most mountainous areas and is where the mountain passes are located, five of which have been staged in the Vuelta a España.
Among these passes, the Alto de Aitana stands out. It starts in the municipality of Sella and runs along the CV770 highway, covering 17.6 km, with an average gradient of 5.7% and a maximum gradient of 9.5%. The base altitude of this mountain pass is 339 meters, and the summit altitude is 1,549 meters. It is a must-visit for cycling enthusiasts of a certain level, as it has been chosen on several occasions as a special category pass in the Vuelta a España. And with good reason, the Aitana Mountain, at 1,558 meters, is considered the highest point in Alicante.
Another notable mountain pass is Xorret de Catí, which starts in the town of Castalla and runs along the CV870 highway. With a length of just 4 km, it is a category 1 mountain pass with an average gradient of 11.5% and a maximum gradient of 22%.
It also has category 2 mountain passes such as Coll de Rates, La Carrasqueta, and Port de Tudons. From all these mountain passes, in addition to exercising your body, you can contemplate wonderful landscapes that will leave you speechless.
In addition to the mountain passes, the Costa Blanca offers countless road cycling routes, ranging from flat terrain to more challenging climbs and less-trafficked roads. All of these routes can be downloaded from Wikiloc to make your journey easier.
It´s worth to highlight some of these routes through the north of the province, routes developed by the Costa Blanca Provincial Tourism Board. Two routes pass through Dénia and the valleys. These two routes allow us to discover towns such as El Verger, Pego, La Vall d’Ebro, Ondara, Benidoleig, Orba, Castell de Castells, and Sagra.
Two routes start in Calpe, known for the Peñon de Ifach, and run through Teulada, Moraira, Jávea, Dénia, Jalón, Benissa, and the Sierra de Bernia.
One of the routes starting in Benidorm offers a visit to one of the most charming inland towns in the province, Guadalest, which is a must-see. These two routes also pass through Finestrat, Sella, Polop, Altea, Gata de Gorgos, Tárbena, Callosa d’en Sarrià, and l’Alfàs del Pí.
Going a little further down, we have two other routes located in Alicante and its surroundings. Both routes depart from Alicante, and along the way you can visit the towns of El Campello, Busot, Xixona, Tibi, Castalla, San Vicente del Raspeig, Boqueres and Agost.
Although the Costa Blanca’s temperature is moderate year-round, it’s best to avoid the hottest months, such as July and August, or at least limit physical activity during the hottest hours of the day.
In the south of the province, we find numerous cycling tours, as it is flatter. These routes start from both Torrevieja and Guardamar del Segura, and allow us to enjoy flat roads, which are more accessible than mountain roads for cycling. If you want to enjoy the scenery while pedaling, but without the effort required on mountain routes, these routes are perfect.
On these routes, we can discover every corner of this small paradise by pedaling, such as the Guardamar Dunes, the Pink Lagoon of Torrevieja, the salt flats of Santa Pola, the beaches of Guardamar del Segura and Orihuela Costa, the Vega Baja orchards, and much more.
Cycling tourism is on the rise, with more people eschewing relaxing vacations and seeking out active tourism. What better way to get to know your holiday destination than by pedaling while enjoying the unbeatable sea and mountain scenery that Alicante has to offer?
If you’re interested in planning your vacation to enjoy bike touring in Alicante, the Hotel Meridional, in addition to having the Bike Friendly seal, has specific facilities such as a bicycle storage area with vertical storage racks and independent locks, a pressure washer, and a workshop with tools for minor repairs, all to make your stay easier for those travelers who want to enjoy their vacation without giving up their bike.
Additionally, at the hotel reception, you can find information on self-guided tours that depart from right outside the hotel, as well as renting bicycles of various types and sizes. So, if you’d like to explore our natural and cultural heritage, using an eco-friendly, practical, affordable, and fun transportation, Hotel Meridional offers every convenience for you to enjoy.
At Hotel Meridional, we have recently renovated rooms with sea views, equipped with all the amenities to ensure a perfect rest. You’ll also enjoy a full breakfast buffet to start the day with the right energy. You can also taste one of the best Paellas in Alicante at El Jardín Restaurant. We have another restaurant, Ñam recommended by the Repsol Guide in 2024 and 2025, where you will taste the excellent cuisine of chef Jorge Amores. To de-stress after a day of cycling, nothing beats a private session in a panoramic whirpool with sea views, to which you can add a relaxing massage, or a bottle of cava and chocolates if you prefer.
And you can’t end your stay without visiting our Sky Bar, located on the hotel’s rooftop, with a nice cocktail menu and the best views of Guardamar over the beach, Santa Pola Bay, and Tabarca Island.
