Level 1 tours: active, fun and scenic
These rides are for anyone that is looking to enjoy the Spanish coast and countryside on the bike. Having MTB experience helps, but is not essential for each tour. We can tune these rides to your own skills and preferences. Though some of the rides are harder than others, in general having a reasonable fitness is important. Below are a number of rides, ranging from rides where we use the myriad of small back roads - very suitable for family tours with children - to tours for riders that regularly ride a mountain bike and want to get to know off road riding Spanish style.
The trails we use are fun and fairly easy but as they are natural trails they require you to be always focused during the ride. Tours 2 and 3 are so-called "trekking tours". These are for anyone who enjoys cycling, but isn´t into off roading but also doesn´t like to cycle on main roads. On these rides we use small roads where you normally wouldn´t go on a road bike and where you won´t encounter much traffic. They are also perfect for family rides.
The trails we use are fun and fairly easy but as they are natural trails they require you to be always focused during the ride. Tours 2 and 3 are so-called "trekking tours". These are for anyone who enjoys cycling, but isn´t into off roading but also doesn´t like to cycle on main roads. On these rides we use small roads where you normally wouldn´t go on a road bike and where you won´t encounter much traffic. They are also perfect for family rides.
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1. Greatest hits - Vol. I
Route: Moraira - Benitachell - Jesus Pobre - Gata de Gorgos - Moraira
Route: Moraira - Benitachell - Jesus Pobre - Gata de Gorgos - Moraira
New to the area and want to find out what mountain biking is like over here? Than this ride has a great collection of trails you should get to know! The ride is really of combination of the best elements mountain biking offers: single track, some rocky parts, small drops and also small roads and gravel paths to get some miles in, hence the name "Greatest hits"!
The longest version of this tour starts at Snakebite HQ in Moraira and takes you almost immediately off road. For about 15K we cruise flowy trails through forests and fields, before descending into the dry Gorgos river bed. Here we cross the valley in the direction of the foot of Montgó mountain where we will follow a trail to the towns of Jesus Pobre and Gata de Gorgos. In this village we usually break for coffee at the church square to recharge ourselves for the final third of this ride. We drop again into the river bed and from there we climb back to Benitachell and Moraira.
Based on your personal preferences and especially in summer we will run a shorter version of this tour, up to some 30 - 35 K.
The longest version of this tour starts at Snakebite HQ in Moraira and takes you almost immediately off road. For about 15K we cruise flowy trails through forests and fields, before descending into the dry Gorgos river bed. Here we cross the valley in the direction of the foot of Montgó mountain where we will follow a trail to the towns of Jesus Pobre and Gata de Gorgos. In this village we usually break for coffee at the church square to recharge ourselves for the final third of this ride. We drop again into the river bed and from there we climb back to Benitachell and Moraira.
Based on your personal preferences and especially in summer we will run a shorter version of this tour, up to some 30 - 35 K.
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2. Sit back and enjoy the ride
Route: Benitachell – Jávea - Benitachell
Route: Benitachell – Jávea - Benitachell
A scenic ride with not too much climbing and therefore a great day trip for families or MTB novices. Or just to enjoy the scenery of the hinterland of the Costa Blanca.
This routes takes off from Benitachell, which is just ten minutes from Moraira. By departing from Benitachell we leave the more busy roads behind us which makes riding more safe and relaxed. From Benitachell we follow small roads down to the coast of Jávea. Here we cruise the old town which has a lovely Spanish atmosphere and great places for a coffee stop. After we´ve circled through this village we head to Jávea´s see front before making our way back to our point of departure.
This routes takes off from Benitachell, which is just ten minutes from Moraira. By departing from Benitachell we leave the more busy roads behind us which makes riding more safe and relaxed. From Benitachell we follow small roads down to the coast of Jávea. Here we cruise the old town which has a lovely Spanish atmosphere and great places for a coffee stop. After we´ve circled through this village we head to Jávea´s see front before making our way back to our point of departure.
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3. Get to know the "real Spain"
Route: Benissa - Senija - Lliber - Jalón - Parcent - Murla - (Benigembla) - Alcalalí - Jalón - Benissa
Route: Benissa - Senija - Lliber - Jalón - Parcent - Murla - (Benigembla) - Alcalalí - Jalón - Benissa
The ´Vall de Pop´ or Jalón valley is a touristic gem. The beautiful landscape with picturesque villages scattered around is definitely worth a visit. And what better way to discover this than on the bike.
This ride takes you over small roads with little traffic. It is a perfect day out with friends or family because there is ample opportunity to take breaks and enjoy a good cup of coffee or a refreshing drink on one of the many terraces we´ll pass by.
This ride takes you over small roads with little traffic. It is a perfect day out with friends or family because there is ample opportunity to take breaks and enjoy a good cup of coffee or a refreshing drink on one of the many terraces we´ll pass by.
Key data:
- Distance: 42 K. Climbing: 650 m.
- Duration: around 3 - 4 hrs (depending on breaks).
- Fitness: medium.
- Technical level: low.
4. Down to the river
Route: Villalonga - Beniarrés - Villalonga
Route: Villalonga - Beniarrés - Villalonga
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This tour is something else. It is a beautiful route on the Vía Verde del Serpis, a former train track that originally linked the towns of Alcoy and Gandía. The most spectacular section of the old train route is the one between the towns of Villalonga and Beniarrés. From Villalonga we follow the Serpis river. The surface of the route consists for some 80% of gravel and passes through several tunnels. Only at the beginning and end of the route there is an asphalted road. Beniarrés is a perfect rest stop for lunch after which we descent to the Beniarrés estuary lake. After the visit to the lake and Serpis river bed we climb back to Via Verde track that takes us in a straight, descending line to the point where we started.
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Key data:
- Distance: 45 K. Climbing: 500 m.
- Duration: around 3 hrs. Getting to Villalonga takes about an hour by car, so some 5 hrs in total.
- Fitness: medium.
- Technical level: low.
- The price of this tour is € 49,50 p.p. (min. 2 persons).
5. Just cruisin´
Route: Altea - La Nucía - Polop - Altea
Route: Altea - La Nucía - Polop - Altea
We start at the beach just outside Altea and follow he coastline to where the Algar river reaches the sea. From here we follow the dry river bed for some 5 K after which we climb towards Polop and it´s little sister village Xirles. Here we reach the summit of this ride which is usually a perfect moment for a coffee break. After the break we drop back down into the river following a beautiful track lined with fruit trees (medlars). Once we reach the river bed we make our way back to Altea through tunnels of bamboo, quite spectacular!
Key data:
- Distance: 35 K. Climbing: 450 m.
- Duration: around 3 hrs. Getting to Altea takes about half an hour by car, so some 4 - 5 hrs in total.
- Fitness: medium.
- Technical level: low.
- The price of this tour is € 44,50 p.p.
6. MTB clinic
Personalised track
Personalised track
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Mountain biking in Spain is great fun but it can also be a challenging experience compared to what you are used to riding at home. Our typical habitat – natural trails with loose gravel and rocks, short and steep climbs as well as small drop offs – may be new to some and could require some additional practice.
In this half day clinic we offer an introduction to mountain biking in Spain. It is typically aimed at riders who have been on a mountain bike before but have been limited to riding easy, flat terrain. Also road or gravel cyclists that know how to handle a bike are welcome to join. Participants ideally already know how to change gears and break on a bicycle. But we can always start with a “crash course” in that area. This clinic focuses on two key elements of mountain biking: anticipating and adjusting speed and position on the bike. Based on your previous experience and / or specific learning goals we go out and play on the trails around Moraira and practice how to read trails, interpret them and choose our speed and bike position accordingly. The clinic is “learning by doing”. We practice as we go and usually we cover about 20 km´s during this ride. To maximize learning and fun, we recommend to keep groups small (up to four persons). During the clinic we will break for coffee / drinks. A reasonable fitness is recommended; riding and practicing at the same time can be tiring. |
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Key data:
- Distance: appr. 20 K. Climbing: variable.
- Duration: around 3 - 4 hrs. (break included).
- Fitness: medium.
- Technical level: based on personal experience of participant(s).
- Price: t.b.d.