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Barcelona to Gibraltar – 2024

£2,435.00

TOUR REF: BG24
TYPE: Road Cycling
LEVEL: Challenging
DATES:
20 Sept – 05 Oct 2024
DURATION: 16 days / 15 nights (14 days cycling)
ACCOMMODATION LEVEL: Standard

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Barcelona to Gibraltar

  • A sensational ride down the Spanish Mediterranean coast
  • Some mountains thrown in for good measure
  • Iconic finish on the ‘Rock’

We have wanted to put together a ride in Spain for some time but where to go? Spain is a big country and much of the interior is inhospitable for cycling!

The Mediterranean Sea spreads its calm waters over 1000 miles of Spanish coast, from Tarifa, the southernmost European point in the province of Cádiz, to the rocky cliffs of Cabo de Creus, on the border between France and Spain in northern Catalunya. This vast distance allows for a wide variety of landscapes, towns and cultures that are a far cry from the general perception of the Mediterranean as a Costa del Sol-style tourist trap.

Our ride takes in virtually the whole length, starting in magnificent Barcelona (a MUST SEE city!) and ending back on ‘British’ soil on the Rock of Gibraltar.

We will spend our first night at a hotel close to Barcelona airport before heading to the sea where we will spend much of the coming two weeks. Naturally we will pass through many holiday resorts but also areas of wild natural beauty. This is not an ultra-quiet ‘back roads’ tour, but in resort towns there is often a beach-front esplanade or cycle path to ease the miles!

For our last two days we turn inland and there is some hilly riding as we skirt Malaga, Marbella and the other southern ‘Costas’ before arriving on the iconic Rock of Gibraltar where we spend our last night before flying home.

Average daily mileages are 60-65 and this trip is suitable for all regular cyclists.

This trip is designed to connect with our Bordeaux to Barcelona holiday.

If you would like to read other people’s comments on our holidays then check out the Customer Comments page.
 
NB: Most photos above courtesy and copyright of Carl Grim, please do not reproduce without the artist’s express permission.  
Tour Price includes: 

Hotel accommodation
Breakfast
Vehicle support
Services of leader/mechanic
Local transfers
All necessary route information.

Tour Price does not include:

Lunches or evening meals
Snacks or drinks required during the day
Travel to Barcelona from Gibraltar
Cost of any optional excursions, entrance fees etc.

Itinerary:

Day 0 – Arrive
We will meet you from Barcelona airport for the transfer to your hotel.

Day 1 – Barcelona to Tarragona – 67 Miles
Barcelona is a large busy city but we sneak out to the west, through open but rolling countryside.  In the middle of the day we strike the coast, utilising quiet roads and cycle paths wherever possible, on our way to Tarronga.  Like many places we will pass through and stay in, the city has a history dating back to Roman times.

Day 2 – Tarragona to Amposta – 62 Miles
We initially strike inland, skirting Rust then paralleling the coast for some 15 miles.  In the afternoon we return to the coast but then turn inland across a small peninsula to stay in Amposta on the river Ebre.

Day 3 – Amposta to Orpesa del Mar – 63 Miles
Our theme continues; coastal riding where conditions permit and inland when the resort towns become too busy.  Orpesa del Mar is a beach resort just north of Castellon de la Plana.

Day 4 – Orpesa del Mar to Valencia – 64 Miles
We spend today inland, paralleling the coast on our way to Spain’s 3rd largest city – Valencia.

Day 5 – Valencia to Xativa – 53 Miles
Despite Valencia’s size we are quickly out into natural beauty, squeezing between the sea and the Parc Natural d’Albufera de Valencia.  We then begin our first serious foray inland, with some inevitable hills as we head for the medieval town of Xativa.  A shorter day to compensate for the climbing!

Day 6 – Xativa to Yecla- 61 Miles
We remain inland and, in the morning, there are some reasonably stiff climbs before flattening out as we had to the small town of Yecla.

Day 7 – Yecla to Murcia- 55 Miles
Another shortish day as we start to head back to the coast, finishing in Murcia, capital of the region of the same name.

Day 8 – Murcia to Aguilas – 64 Miles
Our morning is spent completing our return to the coast where we will remain for several days.  In the afternoon we follow quiet coastal roads to the seaport of Aguilas.

Day 9 – Aguilas to San Jose (Almeria) – 69 Miles
Our whole day is spent hugging the coast and we finish in a small resort community a little north of Almeria.

Day 10 – San Jose to Almerimar – 51 Miles
Today we retain the coast, skirting past Almeria and passing through the Punta Etinas-Sabinar natural park.

Day 11 – Almerimar to Almunecar – 67 Miles
We follow the Costa Tropical: sun, sea, sand and Sangria.

Day 12 – Almunecar to Malaga  – 49 Miles
Our last day on the coast takes us all the way to the famous resort town/city of Malaga.  It is a very short day so plenty of time to stock up on raffia donkeys!

Day 13 – Malaga to Ronda  – 57 Miles
As the ‘Costa’ gets more built up it is time to head for the hills.  We turn inland and ‘enjoy’ some stiff but beautiful riding as we arc west to Ronda, a medieval town perched on the edge of a deep gorge.

Day 14 – Ronda  to Gibraltar – 62 Miles
Our last day is also a hilly one, but with quiet roads, stunning scenery and virtually guaranteed sunshine there are compensations.  As we approach the border onto the Rock we cross our fingers and hope that today is not one for a ‘go slow’ by Spanish border officials!

Day 15 – Depart
We will transfer you to the airport for your flight home

The Tour:  This is a Fully Supported Cycling Holiday with a leader, and support vehicle to carry all the luggage and provide any necessary assistance. The holiday is designed to offer you the challenge of riding a substantial part of the length of Spain, while at the same time taking you through the great variety of scenery that Spain has to offer. The distance from Barcelona to Gibraltar  is about 850 miles

The centre of Spain is mountainous and the roads that head inland are very hilly.  The Spanish Mediterranean coast is, inevitably, busy with many sprawling towns to serve the tourist trade.  Our route does its best to find a compromise that  offers an enjoyable cycling experience, blending quieter coastal back roads, cycle paths, and some inland sections. 

The average daily distance is 60 miles, and there are no rest days.

Accommodation & Food: This is an hotel-based trip and accommodation will generally be graded 2* – 3* or similar, offering clean and comfortable rooms. Single people travelling alone will be booked into a twin bedded room with another person of the same sex – unless the additional single supplement has been paid. We book rooms with en-suite facilities where available, but this cannot always be guaranteed. Breakfast is provided at the accommodation, most hotels also have a restaurant attached for an evening meal, or there is at least one other restaurant nearby.  Note that Spanish breakfast is often minimal, sometimes little more that coffee and pastries.

Start: The holiday starts in Barcelona and we will collect guests from the airport for transfer to the hotel.  Note: The cost of the outbound flight is not included in the price of the holiday.  You must book the flight yourself (or make your own alternative arrangements).

Finish: The holiday ends in Gibraltar and transport will be provided to the airport. Note: The cost of the return flight is not included in the price of the holiday. You must book the flight yourself (or make your own alternative arrangements).

Cycle Transport:  If required, and for an additional fee, we can also arrange for your cycle to be transported to the start and/or to return your bike from the finish to anywhere in the UK.

Documents: You require a passport to visit Spain. Nationals of some countries also require a Visa. Non EU passport holders should check with the nearest Spanish Embassy. You are also required to have travel insurance for the duration of the holiday and you will be required to provide evidence of a suitable travel insurance policy.

Bikes: All types of cycle are suitable for the trip. The most important thing is that the bike functions properly and that you are comfortable riding it. However you should make sure that your bike has suitable gears as parts of the route,are hilly, with some quite long climbs. Most people will require a cycle with a triple chainset. If you are riding a mountain bike then you should fit it with narrow ‘slick’ tyres.  You should also make sure that you are able to carry some spare food and clothing with you on the bike.

Get In Touch

If you have any questions about any of our trips, please call us on 0800 002 9559 or send us a message below.