Murcia / Alicante

craigenty

Hi everyone,

I'll be visiting my mum in Spain in a couple of weeks time. She actually lives near Guardamar and last time I took my bike I tried to ride inland as far as possible and found it a bit crap really, lots of dead dogs and cats, broken glass and a bit busy etc etc.

I've heard of some nice cycling near Murcia in a national park which might be about an hours drive away. Anyone got any more info on the area and how to cram the best riding into a week? Some ride info would be great, 4-5 hour rides?

What's the best map for cycling in the area?

Cheers in advance

Craig

craigenty

Has the Bikeradar oracle failed me on this one??

megilleland

There are several areas to get some good cycling in. The Sierra de Espuna is west of Murcia and can be accessed from Alhama de Murcia and Totana in the south or from Mula and Pliego in the north.
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe ... 142885.htm
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe ... 143710.htm

The Via Verde del Noroeste runs 50km between Banos de Mula and
Caravaca de la Cruz:
http://www.viasverdes.com/fichas_htm/no ... escrip.htm

If your bike is an off road model there are plenty of routes through this area.
Routes and photos from Totana MTB:
http://www.asociaciondeportivalasnueve.com/rutas.asp
http://www.asociaciondeportivalasnueve.com/fotos.asp

You could stay in a chalet on one of the camp sites in the area and do several routes over 2/3 days. You should be able to get a good rate midweek as it is now low season. The area will be busier at the weekend.
http://www.vayacamping.net/f1z.asp?par2=300&lang=en

Interesting accounts from Helen Findlay about the area:
http://helenmfindlay.blogspot.com/

Other places worth a visit in the area are Caravaca de la Cruz, Moratalla and Calasparra. East of Mula head for the Valle de Ricote along the River Segura, between Abaran and Archena.
http://www.valledericote.com/imagenes.htm
http://www.valledericote.com/mapa_valle.pdf

Carrascoy near Murcia gives the opportunity for a good climb:
http://club.telepolis.com/alfonsomartinez/catedral.htm

craigenty

Fantastic info! Many thanks. If ever you need any cycling info for the Drome / Provencale / Vaucluse area of France please drop me a line.