Where To Go Road Cycling in Spain

Why Spain?

Cycling in Spain is one of the best choices you can make for a cycling getaway, thanks to its year round sunshine, smooth roads, quiet mountain climbs, and huge variety of landscapes.

Whether you're looking for cycling holidays in Spain, a fully supported road cycling holiday in Spain, or a relaxed cycling vacation in Spain for beginners, Spain has something for every type of rider. From the famous climbs of Mallorca to the rolling roads of Girona and the stunning coastal routes of the Costa Blanca, it’s easy to see why so many riders book cycling holiday packages in Spain year after year. With great local food, cyclist friendly accommodation, and endless route options, Spain is ideal for anyone planning a guided cycling holiday in Spain, a self guided cycling tour in Spain, or even a warm weather cycling training camp in Spain during the winter months. If you want epic climbs, scenic roads, and a cycling culture that welcomes riders, Spain is hard to beat.

Cycling in The Canaries

**The Canary Islands are one of the best options for a road cycling holiday in Spain, especially if you're looking for warm weather riding during the winter months. Tenerife is famous for its long steady climbs, including the legendary ascent of Mount Teide, making it ideal for a Spain road cycling holiday training camp or riders focused on endurance and climbing. **

Gran Canaria offers a huge variety of terrain, from coastal roads to steep inland gradients, and is a popular choice for cyclists booking guided road cycling holidays Spain packages with support. Lanzarote, with its quiet roads, volcanic landscapes, and consistent sunshine, is perfect for riders wanting a more relaxed self guided road cycling holiday Spain while still enjoying challenging routes. With year round good weather, smooth tarmac, and some of the best climbing in Europe, the Canaries are a top destination for anyone planning a Spain road cycling tour package, a winter road cycling holiday Spain, or a supported trip with accommodation and bike hire included.

Cycling in Tenerife

Cycling in Tenerife is a top choice for riders planning a winter road cycling holiday in Spain, thanks to its year round sunshine, quiet mountain roads, and huge climbing routes.

Tenerife is especially popular for cyclists looking for a high altitude road cycling holiday Spain, with long steady ascents up Mount Teide that are perfect for endurance training. Masca Valley is also a test of endurance. Read more about our guide to cycling in Tenerife.

Cycling in Lanzarote

** Cycling in Lanzarote is perfect for riders looking for a more undulating Spain road cycling holiday with reliable sunshine and quiet, open roads.**

Known for its volcanic landscapes and steady rolling terrain (as well as its winds), Lanzarote is a great option for anyone searching for a road cycling vacation in Spain that combines strong training rides with recovery days. It’s also ideal for cyclists wanting a Spain cycling break with low traffic routes, making it popular with both intermediate riders and groups. With smooth roads, consistent weather, and iconic scenery, Lanzarote is a brilliant destination for a Canary Islands road cycling holiday Spain, especially if you're travelling outside peak season.

Cycling in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of the best islands for a climbing focused road cycling holiday in Spain, offering steep gradients, endless switchbacks, and epic mountain scenery.

The climb to Pico de las Nieves is a true Canary Islands classic, taking you from the coast up into the clouds with long sustained sections that make it perfect for riders looking for a Spain cycling holiday with big elevation. For those wanting a serious challenge, the brutal Valley of the Tears is one of the hardest climbs in Europe and a bucket list route for anyone planning an advanced road cycling tour in Spain. With quiet inland roads, dramatic landscapes, and huge variety in a small area, Gran Canaria is ideal for a Spain cycling holiday for climbers, a high intensity training block, or an unforgettable warm weather cycling escape.

Cycling in Girona, Spain

Located 100km North of Barcelona near the Costa Brava coastline, Girona is a little pocket of truly epic cycling.

Girona is one of the best places to base yourself when planning cycling holidays in Spain, offering everything riders love about Spanish cycling in one compact and easy to explore region. Located in Catalonia, Girona combines smooth roads, quiet countryside lanes, and iconic climbs with a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, making it ideal for a road cycling holiday in Spain. Many riders choose Girona for Spain cycling holiday packages because you can ride world class mountain routes one day, then head towards the Costa Brava coastline the next. With famous climbs like Rocacorba, a huge network of scenic routes, and a strong cycling culture built around cafés and bike friendly services, Girona has become a top choice for both guided cycling tours in Spain and self guided cycling holidays in Spain. Whether you're looking for a warm weather training camp, a long weekend cycling break, or a full itinerary, Girona is one of the most complete destinations for a cycling tour in Spain.

Rocacorba

Not so long ago, Rocacorba was only really known by radio mast engineers, and a bunch of hand gliders. There was no tarmac road, only a dirt track that led to the summit. Puigsou, the mountain where Rocacorba is situated, is hailed as an iconic cycling route nowadays.

The name ‘Rocacorba’ is derived from a 12th century Santuari de Rocacorba located on a nearby hill to the Puigsou summit. Starting at a stone bridge at the bottom of Puigsou, the Rocacorba climb extends 10.1km upwards and has been made famous by David Millar. As a result of the average gradient hitting 6.5%, many, especially pros, utilise Rocacorba as a tough time trial. There’s only one way up so enjoy the descent once you’ve climbed to the top.

Els Angels

Els Angels is not a long or particular tough climb but one that is not to be missed if you’re in Girona.

Beautiful forests adorn the road, with views out to the rolling hills of Catalonia. Els Angels ascends for 11km at an average gradient of 3.8% before you reach the monastery on the top of the climb. Have a wander inside if you can as it has its own history. Salvador Dali was married at the Santuari dels Angels Chapel.

Costa Blanca And Calpe

Road cycling holiday packages in Spain don't come more popular than the Costa Blanca. Its coastline combines both flat and steep. Grab some speed riding along the coast, where hills are unlikely to be higher than 200m.

Then, head inland where you can feel the burn tackling big climbs. Much like Sierra Nevada, cycling in Costa Blanca offers a dreamy paradise that is quiet and picturesque. However, don’t be surprised if you stumble across a peloton of pro team cyclists, such as Sunweb, Ineos and NTT. Close to Benidorm and Alicante Airport, Calpe is the perfect place to base yourself when cycling in Costa Blanca.

Coll De Rates

Coll de Rates is a classic climb, even if it is less well known than the Rocacorba or Sa Calobra in Mallorca. It’s certainly not one you’d want to miss when road cycling in Spain. Although not particularly long, or steep, it’s a great ride with gorgeous scenery.

Look one way and you’ve got the light blue sea lapping at the shore, and look the other to the jagged Bernia y Ferrer mountain range. The Coll de Rates is only 6.5km and averages at a steady 5% gradient but don’t miss the summit when you think you’re at the summit. Head on for another 300m up the asphalt path at the cafe.

Sierra Nevada, Spain's Hidden Cycling Routes

A little on the lowkey side for road cycling holiday in Spain, Sierra Nevada’s cycling routes are a refreshing challenge for a self guided cycling holiday in Spain. Quiet roads are the selling point here, with a sparkling coastline to the east, and epic climbs to the west.

Sierra Nevada’s landscape is breathtaking, and the weather makes riding possible almost all year round. There are however a couple of climbs that are subject to snow and surprisingly there is a climb in the Sierra Nevada which is the highest paved road in Europe. Pico Veleta, stands tall at 3,400m, that’s 700m taller than the famed Stelvio in the Italian Alps. With snow walls and white peaks, this is one of the best road cycling holidays in Spain that you would never had thought existed.

Road Of The Goat

One of the most beloved climbs of the Sierra Nevada is the Road of the Goat. Cycling this route takes you on the same road merchants used to haul mules carrying fresh fish to Granada.

Whilst the merchants took a couple days to trek up, a cyclist can now tackle it in under a few hours. Stretching out between craggy cliff faces and the rugged drop off the balcony stone wall below, the Road of the Goat is 37km. In addition, switchback lovers will be at home in the final section, which features some pretty epic tight bends. Even better, you’ll have the thrill of descending these twists and turns all the way back down to Almuneca,

Canar

If you love switchbacks on a road cycling tour in Spain, ride from Órgiva up to Canar. Even though it’s shorter than Road of the Goat at 8.3km, the gradient often kicks up to a whopping 15%. In total, you’ll ascend 1015m from Órgiva, with absolutely gorgeous views back down the valley at the summit.

The scenery is stunning with the bright blue Rules Reservoir peeking between the trees. In particular, when you reach the town of Canar, consider stretching the legs and exploring. The town has a rich history, most notably the arrival of Arabs in the 8th century. Even though the Catholic monarch expelled the Muslim Arabs in 1609, Arabic culture is infused into the architecture.

Spain Cycling Routes

For more information about other exciting cycling experiences we offer, visit our Spain cycling holidays page.