Cycling the Costa Blanca: greenways, MTB and gravel

Road cycling is far from the only way to ride the Costa Blanca. Between purpose-built greenways ("vías verdes"), mountain bike and gravel trails in the hills, and flat family loops along the coast, there is a ride here for every age and every set of legs.

Whether you are easing the kids onto two wheels or chasing a technical descent in the sierras, this guide breaks the coast and its hinterland down by type of ride, so you can match the route to the rider.

Greenways: car-free riding for everyone

The best-known greenway in the area is the Vía Verde del Maigmó, which starts from Agost, just inland from Alicante. It follows a former railway line converted into a gentle, low-gradient trail, complete with tunnels and viaducts, which makes it a treat for families and gravel bikes alike. Other greenway sections fill out the inland network from there.

Flat, safe and shaded in places, greenways are the natural choice if you are a beginner, riding with children, or simply want a relaxed spin well away from traffic. Because the old rail grade never climbs steeply, you can cover real distance without the day turning into a slog.

Mountain biking and gravel: the hinterland

Leave the coast behind and the mountains open up into a spectacular playground. The trails of the Sierra de Bèrnia, reached from Benissa, reward the climb with views stretching from the Montgó to the Peñón de Ifach. The Guadalest valley offers more, and the Ruta del Moscatel threads through the vineyards of the Xaló (Jalón) valley, Senija and Llíber.

Difficulty ranges from smooth, rolling tracks to genuinely technical descents, so plan your route in advance on komoot or Wikiloc depending on your legs and your appetite for the rough stuff.

Family rides by the sea

For the youngest riders, the seafronts and coastal promenades (Denia, Xàbia, the Alicante bay and more) serve up flat, safe kilometres, often on dedicated paths. It is the least stressful way to get children hooked on cycling, with an ice cream at the finish line: optional, but strongly recommended.

Not sure which ride suits whom? This quick summary should help:

• Absolute beginners and young children: coastal promenades and the Vía Verde del Maigmó, flat and traffic-free.
• Confident families and gravel riders: the greenways and smooth inland tracks.
• Fit riders after a challenge: the Sierra de Bèrnia, the Guadalest valley and the technical descents of the hinterland.
• Anyone short on climbing legs: an electric mountain bike, which puts the sierras within reach.

Renting and gear

You do not need to bring your own bike. Mountain bikes, gravel bikes and e-bikes are easy to hire by the day or the week, particularly in the tourist resorts along the coast. An electric mountain bike, in particular, opens the mountainous hinterland to riders who do not (yet) have the legs for it: a small revolution that lets you explore the sierras without suffering for it.

Frequently asked questions

Which greenway is best for beginners and kids?

The Vía Verde del Maigmó from Agost is the standout: a low-gradient former railway with tunnels and viaducts and no traffic to worry about. For younger children, the coastal seafronts and promenades are perfect, flat and safe.

Do I need a mountain bike for the hinterland?

For the mountain trails, yes. On smooth tracks and greenways a gravel bike is plenty. And if the climbs put you off, an electric mountain bike (e-MTB) makes the sierras accessible to just about everyone.

Where can I find local routes?

komoot and Wikiloc between them list thousands of local tracks, sorted by difficulty. Beyond the apps, local bike rental shops and MTB clubs in your town are a good source of route ideas and company.

Sources

• Vías Verdes, the Spanish greenway network: viasverdes.com
• Costa Blanca Tourism (Diputación de Alicante): costablanca.org

Information verified in July 2026. Routes and services change: plan your ride, check the weather and carry water. The Daily Costa Blanca is an AI-assisted publication with human editorial review and responsibility.