Cycling the Costa Blanca: the great climbs, greenways and off-road trails

The Costa Blanca is one of the world's great playgrounds for road cycling: close to 300 days of sun a year, climbs with the perfect gradient and an all-but-empty hinterland the moment you leave the coast. Every winter, professional teams come here to train, around Calpe, Dénia, Altea and Benidorm. Here are the big climbs to tackle, the car-free greenways, the off-road trails, and how to ride here safely.

The climbs to know

A handful of ascents make the region's name:

• The Coll de Rates: the iconic climb, from Parcent. A steady gradient, a legendary road ridden countless times by the pros, with a café at the top where cycling-mad Europe crosses paths all winter.
• The Alto de Aitana: the roof of the province (1,558 m), long and demanding, a proper mountain ascent.
• La Carrasqueta and the Puerto de Tudons: great classics for piling on the elevation.
• The Xorret de Catí: the hardest of all, with ramps at 22%, often on the Vuelta route. For strong legs only.

Where to ride, and with whom

Calpe is the coast's unofficial cycling capital: adapted hotels, high-end bike hire and group rides almost every day. Most large towns have cycling clubs and ride groups that welcome newcomers; bike shops and apps (Strava, komoot) are the best way to find a ride at your level. Day or week hire is easy if you're travelling light.

Greenways: riding without cars

Road climbs aren't the only way to pedal here. The best-known car-free route is the Vía Verde del Maigmó, starting from Agost near Alicante: a former railway line with its tunnels and viaducts, gently graded, perfect for families or on a gravel bike. Other greenway sections fill out the inland network. Flat, safe and shaded in places, they're ideal for starting out, taking the children or riding in peace away from traffic.

MTB and gravel: the hinterland

The moment you leave the coast, the mountains offer a magnificent playground: the trails of the Sierra de Bèrnia (from Benissa), with views from the Montgó to the Peñón de Ifach; the Guadalest valley; and the Ruta del Moscatel winding through the vineyards of the Xaló (Jalón) valley, Senija and Llíber. Levels run from rolling track to technical descent: plan your route on komoot or Wikiloc according to your legs. An e-MTB opens up the mountainous hinterland to those who don't (yet) have the legs, a small revolution for exploring the sierras without suffering.

Family riding by the sea

For the youngest, the seafronts and coastal promenades (Dénia, Xàbia, the bay of Alicante) offer flat, safe, often traffic-free kilometres. It's the best way to give children a taste for cycling without stress, with an ice cream at the finish.

When to ride

The big advantage here: you can ride all year round. Autumn, winter and spring are ideal (mild and dry). In summer, set off early to beat the heat, carry plenty of water and cover up with sun cream. Watch out for tourist rush hours on the coast roads: favour the quieter, more beautiful hinterland.

Safety and good habits

A helmet is compulsory outside built-up areas, lights and a reflective vest are recommended, and the rules are enforced. Spanish drivers are generally used to cyclists, but stay careful on technical descents and blind bends on the climbs. Carry repair kit: some inland roads are isolated, with no phone signal.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Costa Blanca good for beginner cyclists? Yes: alongside the demanding climbs, the coast offers flat routes and easy greenways like the Vía Verde del Maigmó. You can progress at your own pace, from the coastal flat to gentle first ascents.

Can I hire a good road bike? Yes, especially in Calpe and the cycling resorts: high-end road and gravel bikes hire by the day or week, ideal if you travel without your own.

What's the best season? Autumn to spring, mild and dry, when the pros arrive. Summer still works early in the morning, keeping well hydrated.

For more days out, see our guide to where to hike on the Costa Blanca.

Sources

• Costa Blanca Tourism (Diputación de Alicante)
• Vías Verdes: Spain's greenway network

Information verified in July 2026. Roads, services and conditions change: plan your rides, check the weather and ride carefully. The Daily Costa Blanca is an AI-assisted publication with human review. Spotted a mistake? Drop us a line and we'll fix it. How we work.