Castles and sanctuaries selfguided bike route in Eastern Spain

Prices and Departures:

This is a self–guided route. Therefore, you may start the route whenever you please. No hurries, no schedules, we only need to know the date. A route in complete freedom.

Price information:

Prices in € per person (and children if applicable) based on 2 sharing with breakfast. 2 persons minimum.

Options:

• SIngle room: +148,00 €/pers.
• Halfboard: +115,00 €/pers.

The price includes:

• Documentation and maps of the trip
• Seven nights’ accommodation in hotel 4*, rural hotels and rural inns with breakfast in shared double rooms. 
• 2 dinners (Days 3 and 4).
• Luggage transfer between your accommodations.
• Compulsory insurance.

The price does not include:

• Tickets price for visiting monuments and museums.
• Personal insurance.
• Round trip transportation to Lorca from Cieza.
• Bicycle rental.
• Unspecified meals.

Bicycle rental rate: 

The bicycles are fully equipped (luggage carrier, 1 pannier bag, 1 lock, 1 helmet, 1 repair kit with a pump and 1 map holder).

• Trekking bike rental: 125,00 €
• Electric bicycle rental: 170,00 €

How to get there?

• Which airport should I fly to?: Alicante, Murcia.
• Nearest train station: Murcia del Carmen.
• Transfer options from airport: Ask information.
• Transfer options from train stations: Ask information. 

Day 1:

• Arrival in Lorca.
• Check-in. You will visit the historic city centre.
• One night’s accommodation in hotel Jardines de Lorca (Lorca).

Day 2:

Before starting our route to Vélez Blanco, we will discover the historic city centre of Lorca and its Fortress of the Sun. Visiting this Fortress will help us understand the major role it had during the defence of the last medieval border between the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada and the Christian Kingdom of Murcia. On our way to Vélez Blanco we will pass through valleys flanked by buttes and wooded hillocks. You will visit the Castle of Xiquena before arriving to Vélez Blanco and its beautiful historic city centre. One night’s accommodation in the rural inn El Palacil (Vélez Blanco).

• 48 km.
• 4h 30min cycling.
• Activity level: Moderate.
• Lorca–La Parroquia–Vélez Blanco

Day 3:

In order to reach our destination, we will leave the Andalusian mountain ranges and go deep into the vast plains and gentle hillocks. From tower to castle, we will follow the remnants of the medieval settlements in a landscape which provides escape. We will reach the surroundings of Caravaca, the sixth Holy City of Christianity, through roads and drover’s routes. One night’s accommodation in the rural inn Hospedería Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Caravaca). This is the longest stage, so you can choose to switch the first 25km by transfer (Optional).

• 74 km or 49 km.
• 7h cycling.
• Activity level: High.
• Vélez Blanco–Topares–Los Royos–Navares–Caravaca de la Cruz

Day 4:

Time to sightseeing: what better way to seize the day than visiting Caravaca, the fifth Holy City of Christianity, and then the archaeological site of La Encarnación where Neolithic, Roman, Iberian and Islamic sites coexist. A very relaxing stage along acequias (irrigation ditch) and quiets roads. One night’s accommodation in the rural inn Hospedería Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Caravaca).

• 49 km.
• 4h 30min cycling.
• Activity level: Moderate.
• Caravaca de la Cruz–Archivel–La Encarnación–Caravaca de la Cruz

Day 5:

We will carry on to Calasparra through the Ruta Verde del Noroeste. In Moratalla, we strongly recommend to go for a walk through its steep, narrow streets leading to the Christian fortress (15th century) featuring a Homage Tower –a reconstruction of an Islamic fortress of the 15th century– and have a stop to visit the Santa María de la Asunción Church (16th century). After regaining strength, you will reach Calasparra through hundred–year–old olive and almond trees, after crossing ancient bridges and cold–water rivers. One night’s accommodation in the rural inn Constitución (Calasparra).

• 49 km.
• 5h 30min cycling.
• Activity level: Moderate.
• Caravaca de la Cruz–Moratalla–Calasparra

Day 6:

After visiting the Sanctuary of Virgen de la Esperanza (optional), you will tour the most outstanding monuments of Calasparra (the Baroque Church of San Pedro, the Clock Tower, etc.). Then, we head to Cieza through very peaceful local paths and roads. Mountain range landscapes and reservoirs will accompany you along this walk. One night’s accommodation in the rural inn San Sebastián (Cieza).

• 50 km.
• 5h 30min cycling.
• Activity level: Moderate.
• Calasparra–Santuario de la Esperanza–Cieza

Day 7:

We will visit Cieza and its surroundings: Medina Siyâsa museum and the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Calasparra–Cieza. Following the Segura River along the best stretch of its course will carry you to the city of Cieza, which is located in a promontory from where it can dominate the meanders of the river. One night’s accommodation in the rural inn San Sebastián (Cieza).

• 52 km.
• 5h cycling.
• Activity level: Moderate.
• Cieza–Abarán–Blanca–Ójos–Ulea–Abarán–Cieza

Day 8: 

• Departure to your hometown via airport or train station.
• Breakfast included.

Luggage:

We strongly recommend that you divide your luggage between a rucksack and a non-rigid travel bag. The rucksack, together with the bicycle saddle bag, will be very useful in cycling and walking days. We recommend that you keep your fragile stuff (cameras, binoculars and personal belongings) in the rucksack, whereas everything else can be kept in the saddle bag (picnic food, water, change of clothes, etc.). It must be medium-sized (around 20 litres) to make cycling movement easier. The non-rigid travel bag will contain the rest of your personal belongings (clothes, toiletries, etc.). Every time the accommodation is changed, we will bring it to your new accommodation at the end of the day. Before leaving, you will be given a set of tags to identify your luggage with your full name, address, and identification data of the route you are doing. If you travel by plane, we recommend you to consult the conditions regarding luggage with your air company: authorised products, size, weight, etc. In addition, you should be careful that your personal belongings or gifts you may have bought during your stay do not exceed the maximum authorised weight.

Recommended clothes:

• 1 hat or cap.
• 1 kerchief.
• T-shirts (1 for each cycling or walking day). No cotton garments, as they take a long time to dry; short-sleeved T-shirts made of breathable synthetic fabric are preferable.
• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt (follow the previous recommendation) or 1 long-sleeved shirt.
• 1 Gore-tex jacket or similar (simple and light).
• A pair of padded cycling shorts for better cycling comfort.
• A pair of long trousers for the evening.
• Underwear (preferably seamless). It is recommended to wear the cycling shorts without underwear to avoid skin abrasion.
• Socks (a pair for each or two cycling days). Breathable fabric is recommended. 
• 1 swimsuit.

Footwear:

• A pair of comfortable multi-activity boots with regular sole to pedal and walk (avoid high boots).
• A pair of sneakers or sandals for the evening.

This list is to be reviewed depending on the season.

Gear:

• A pair of good quality sunglasses.
• 1 front light (optional).
• 1 utility knife (do not carry it in your flight hand luggage.
• 1 waterproof purse.
• 1 bathroom kit.
• 1 set of towels (we recommend fast drying towels).
• Toilet paper.
• Sunscreen and lip balm.
• Ear plugs (optional).

If you bring your own bicycle:

• 1 helmet (not compulsory, but strongly recommended).
• A pair of long cycling gloves.
• 1 map holder (optional)
• 1 water container or water rucksack (1.5l minimum)
• 1 repair kit.
• 1 lock.
• Saddle bags.
• Bicycle insurance.

Picnic stuff:

• 1 Tupperware or similar hermetically sealed plastic container.
• Plastic glasses.
• Cutlery.

Personal first-aid kit:

• Your habitual medicines.
• C Vitamin or multivitamins.
• Painkillers: preferably paracetamol.
• Elastic adhesive bandage.
• Plasters and sterile gauze pads. 
• Anti-mosquito products.
• Hand sanitizer.

Material provided:

If you rent our bikes (supplement): 1 conventional or electric hybrid bicycle (see conditions), equipped with:

• front suspension,
• rear handle bags,
• helmet,
• reflective jacket,
• repair kit,
• lock.

Material not provided:

• Water container(s).

Required documents for renting a bicycle:

• Deposit (credit card or cash): 250,00 €. The deposit is refunded after giving the bicycle back. 
• Theft exemption: 500,00 € (see specific conditions).

Bibliography:

• Guía del Paisaje Cultural. Tierras de Íberos. Murcia. Una perspectiva agroecológica. Egea Fernández, J.M.; Egea Sánchez, J.M. (2010). Edita: Sociedad Española de Agricultura Ecológica. ISBN: 978-84-613-7870-8.
• Bioitinerario por el Noroeste. El bioitinerario como herramienta de turismo responsable agroecológico. El caso de la Comarca del Noroeste (Región de Murcia). Egea Fernández, J.M.; Fernández García, I.; Egea Sánchez, J.M. (2011). Edita: IMIDA. ISBN: 978-84-615-7791-0.
• Atlas histórico ilustrado de la Región de Murcia y su antiguo Reino. (2006). Rodríguez Lopís (dir), Martínez Carrión JM. (coord.). Edita: Fundación Séneca. ISBN: 84-935446-0-4.
• Guide du Routard Andalousie + Murcie (2011). Gloaguen P. Edita: Hachette Guides Tourisme. ISBN: 978-2012451438.