The Way of El Cid by bicycle – La Defensa del Sur (The Defence of the South)

The Way of El Cid, a historical and literary adventure on two wheels, comes to an end in this fifth and final section – La Defensa del Sur (The Defence of the South). The final 264 kilometres (164 mi) of this epic cycling route runs through the region of Valencia and takes you to the lands and towns that the Cid tried to defend after his conquest. You can find more about this history in the Collection on the Conquest of Valencia, the previous section, here: komoot.com/collection/1830096.

Your adventure begins in Valencia, the city that the Cid conquered in 1094 and of which he became prince and lord. You can easily travel to Valencia if you haven’t done the other parts of the Way, as the city has a train station, bus connections and an airport. Over four stages, averaging 60 kilometres (37 mi), you reach Orihuela, the city that marked the southern limit of the Cid’s rule. From Orihuela, you can either take a bus with the Agostense company (they allow packed bicycles for an additional fee), or travel by train to Alicante, which has more transport options.

This route shows you the impressive castles that formed part of the Almohad defensive line that linked Bañeres, Biar, Villena, Sax and Petrel. You pass through towns with a rich medieval artistic heritage, such as Alzira, Játiva and Bocairent. Cycling between these towns, the landscapes are full of contrasts with wetlands, extensive orchards, river gorges and mountain ranges. From the saddle, you can admire one of the most spectacular natural environments in Valencia: the Albufera Natural Park. The Arabs called these coastal lagoons ‘the mirror of the sun’, as the shallow water creates beautiful reflections when the sky is clear.

As in the previous parts of the Way, any touring bike is perfect for this route. You should carry some food in your panniers, just in case, although every stage passes through towns or cities where you can easily stock up on food and water. If you ride in summer, don't forget to bring sun cream and avoid cycling in the hottest hours. More than 90% of the route runs on tarmac and quiet roads, with the exception of the section between Ontinyent and Bocairent. Here, the route crosses a beautiful ravine, famous for its bathing areas, so there’s a lot of traffic – be cautious.

Enjoy the final part of the Way of El Cid! If you have done the whole route, I hope you’ve discovered an interesting chapter of Spanish medieval history and literature while cycling through the captivating landscapes of the ancient kingdoms of Castile and Aragon.