On the road to the sun — bikepacking to southeast Spain

No matter where you start the first stage on your further path towards the sun, at the latest at Saint-Cyprien you will reach the sea. It is worth taking a short detour to the restored fishermen's huts at the Étang de Canet-Saint-Nazaire. In general, the entire area is characterized by a steppe-like… read more

Today you can start the day a little later, because a leisurely stage of a little more than 30 kilometers to the cute beach town of l’Escala awaits you. You drive through areas that are blessed with more or less vivid agriculture, away from beach tourism. Guest workers who greet you on their Vélo are… read more

The third day you start with a small excursion to the bay of Montgó, the small "mountain" that rises in the east of Escala. If it is still too early for a swim in the sea, you can also turn directly into the Parc Natural del Montgrí. The finest gravel awaits you here, but a detour to the rugged coast… read more

On today's stage, one of the most impressive stretches of coast on the Costa Brava awaits you. The route along the cliffs that drop steeply into the sea on the edge of the Massís de les Cadiretes nature park is so ingenious that one would like to try it a second time. It is no coincidence that you will… read more

A few hills on the edge of the Cadiretes massif await you after your departure in Tossa de Mar, then the route becomes increasingly flat. On the way, a short stop in Lloret de Mar is worthwhile. The party metropolis on the Costa Brava is somehow impressive. So many discos, casinos and other amusements… read more

It will take a while for you to find your way out of the suburbs of Barcelona. Unfortunately, due to the airport, there is no getting through on the beach, so you have to make do with a small detour inland on your further way towards the sun. At Castelldefels you will meet the coast again and shortly… read more

On today's stage you cross the port city of Tarragona. The amphitheater, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the sea and can be clearly seen from the Balcó del Mediterrani - an elevated promenade section - is particularly impressive. You drive out of the city through several suburbs and you… read more

The first task of the day today is to cross the river delta of the Ebros. The Ebro is the longest river in Spain (mind you, the Tajo is a good bit longer, but also flows through Portugal for a larger part, which is why it has to forego this place of honor.) And thus also supplies many important agricultural… read more

Today's stage takes you to Benicasim. The nice, if not very small, beach town on the Costa del Azahar can be a stage destination, travel destination or much more: I have now been to it a total of three times by bike - I ended my trip there twice, once I continued, but always I spent an exuberant week… read more

Via Castelló de la Plana today you mostly ride on well-developed bike paths via Sagunto to Valencia. In Sagunto, the Camino del Cid turns inland and you will also meet the knight's footsteps in Valencia. If you would like to find out more about the Spanish hero, you can take a look at this collection… read more

You drive out of the city via the large park “Jardín del Turia” - a pleasant route away from traffic. The park was created in the 1980s in the former river bed of the Rio Turia after it was diverted from Valencia after the Great Flood in 1957. It's hard to believe, but at that time the river level in… read more

You could think that today's stage would be rather short at 25 kilometers, but that can be deceiving. It took me a full day. Why? I don't really know anymore. Maybe it was the many photo stops, maybe the route was a bit rough. Anyway, the area is just lovely. It is therefore worthwhile to take a slightly… read more

I remember well: I called this stage on my way to the south "The 3 Mountains". Why? That should be clear. You can expect three stately climbs, whereby the second and third somehow blur into each other. Well, the 1,500 vertical meters on today's route must come from somewhere. And each and every one of… read more

The route from Vila Joiosa to Alicante is initially quite narrow along the coast. There is not much space for infrastructure here and there had to be space for both the motorway and interurban road between the holiday resorts on the beach and the mountains inland. The cyclist is definitely left behind… read more

The area is now becoming increasingly arid and agriculture is giving way to vast areas of desert. Nevertheless, there is a certain charm that cannot be denied - especially when the sun is low in the sky and the relief of the many small hills is impressive. Via Abanilla, where a few palm trees invite… read more

It will take a little while until you have left the barren land behind you, but tonight you will again be able to enjoy green pine groves and a little cooler mountain air. Until then, it's partly on roads, partly on bike paths, but also often cross-country over gravel and stone through the desert.



Passing… read more

You already worked about a third of the ascent through the Sierra Espuña yesterday, today the last two thirds await you. Then you have reached a proud 1,200 meters and can look forward to an extensive descent. It's best to take a relaxed approach to the day, the forest gives you shade while you pedal… read more

Today I would like to arouse your anticipation a little: The dry spell of the last few days will come to an end this evening. You reach the coast. Sea air will pamper your lungs and I also have a nice restaurant tip for you. The next few days there will be more desert, but that will be a different one… read more

The unique semi-desert landscape of Cabo de Gata has inspired many people. The nature park was created by volcanoes, which have been extinct for millions of years. Subsequent earthquakes unearthed numerous natural resources and minerals, including gold, feldspar and agates, which the nature park owes… read more

On your second day in the nature park you will pass the southern tip of Cabo de Gata - the actual cape. The landscape on the way offers you again and again new views of picturesque bays and every gravel fan will quickly rave about the gravel slopes.



I spent several days at the Cape on my trip and joined… read more