Le Col Calpe Cycling Holiday Offer

Upon arrival at Alicante airport, you'll be picked up and transferred to your hotel, the 4* ESTIMAR Calpe Suitopia Hotel — set in Calpe, a charming town on the white coast with direct access to incredible climbs, pristine beaches and a lively choice of restaurants and bars. Depending on your arrival time, collect your bike and spend the afternoon exploring the area before the riding begins in earnest.

Guadalest Valley. Today's route largely retraces Stage 2 of the 2019 Vuelta a España, so you'll be riding in the wheel tracks of the pros. After breakfast, head north past the hilltop village of El Castell de Guadalest and onto winding mountain roads with big views across the valleys. Continue through Benilloba and Benimassot before dropping back towards Calpe via Castell de Castells and Tarbena — worth a stop at the pop-up drinks shack here. Traffic is virtually non-existent on these roads, so enjoy the freedom of the tarmac before a well-earned Spanish dinner back at the hotel.

Coll de Rates. The signature climb of the region, and a rite of passage for any serious road cyclist. Roll out of Calpe to the peaceful village of Parcent, then thread through the orange groves of the Jalón Valley before turning south for the Coll de Rates itself. The ascent runs on narrow, smooth-surfaced roads too tight for cars — switchback heaven — with coastal views the whole way up that make the climbing feel easy.

Today we will transfer you back to the airport for your return flight home or if you prefer to add time to your holiday or more days on the bike, we can easily extend it for you. If you did not ride on your first day you may wish to head out today or you can extend your stay or bike hire.