Moorish Country

Sierras of Gudar and Espadan

Tour Description: Guided

The route offers a journey through a very scenic area that is little known by the cycling world because it is far away from major urban areas.

From the Sierra de Gúdar, at an altitude of 2000 meters we began a descent crossing the north of this region. There are deep valleys of pine trees and beautiful villages of stone and wood architecture: Puertomingalvo and Linares de Mora.

The tour continues through Valencia after a vertiginous descent. The Valley of Villahermosa and Mijares are like the anteroom of Sierra de Espadán. It is the largest Natural Park of Valencia, full of small villages of Moorish origin, surrounded by magical cork forests.

All this in a tour of minor roads and mostly paved forest tracks, this is a delightful ride for the traveller with countless mountain passes.

Not sure whether to book a guided and self-guided tour? Learn about the differences between guided and self-guided tours. 

Tour Description: Self-guided

The route offers a journey through a very scenic area that is little known by the cycling world because it is far away from major urban areas.

From the Sierra de Gúdar, at an altitude of 2000 meters we began a descent crossing the north of this region. There are deep valleys of pine trees and beautiful villages of stone and wood architecture: Puertomingalvo and Linares de Mora.

The tour continues through Valencia after a vertiginous descent. The Valley of Villahermosa and Mijares are like the anteroom of Sierra de Espadán. It is the largest Natural Park of Valencia, full of small villages of Moorish origin, surrounded by magical cork forests.

All this in a tour of minor roads and mostly paved forest tracks, this is a delightful ride for the traveller with countless mountain passes.

Not sure whether to book a guided and self-guided tour? Learn about the differences between guided and self-guided tours. 

Highlights: Guided

• Valuable rural architecture: Linares, Puertomingalvo, Villahermosa, Moorish villages of Espadán.
• Castillos de Alcalá de la Selva, Puertomingalvo, Villahermosa, Jérica, Segorbe, Gaibiel, Almonecir, etc. 
• Hot springs of Montanejos 
• River gorges of Ludiente y Cedraman
• Natural Park of Espadan
• Traditional food and craft products: Almedijar cheese, marmalade from Altura, etc.

Highlights: Self-guided

• Valuable rural architecture: Linares, Puertomingalvo, Villahermosa, Moorish villages of Espadán.
• Castillos de Alcalá de la Selva, Puertomingalvo, Villahermosa, Jérica, Segorbe, Gaibiel, Almonecir, etc. 
• Hot springs of Montanejos 
• River gorges of Ludiente y Cedraman
• Natural Park of Espadan
• Traditional food and craft products: Almedijar cheese, marmalade from Altura, etc.

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Valencia 
We transfer the customers and their luggage to Jerica, where they will stop over the first night at the rural house called Casa Rural Shariqua. Depending on the arrival time, the customers can have dinner in the same accommodation.  This extra a la carte dinner menu is not included, there is a minimum price of 17€.
Overnight at Casa Rural Shariqua. 

Day 2: Alcalá de la Selva-Puertomingalvo (30 miles/51 km) 
Transfer of luggage and meals provided. From Alcala de la Selva we ascend to the ski slopes of Valdelinares (with the option to get to the top) where we start a descend towards Valdelinares, the highest village of Spain.  Passing through the monumental tree, Pino Escobon, we will arrive to Linares de Mora, this place was considered as a place of Cultural Interest because of its well looked after architecture.  Going back to the main route we ascend to Puerto de Linares from where we will arrive to Puertomingalvo and its walled compound.  
Overnight at Entre Portales.

Day 3: Puertomingalvo-Montanejos (43 miles/70 km)
Breakfast at Hostal Entre Portales. Transfer of luggage and meals provided. We will descend towards Villahermosa del Rio, in Valencia. Its centre is a place of interest, with its church, castle and San Antonio hermitage.  We will continue following Villahermosa river valley.  We will found small towns: Cedraman, Castillo de Villamalefa, Ludiente with its spectacular river gorge and finally Argelita. Once we arrive to Mijares Valley, we will continue through this beautiful valley towards Montanejos passing Torrechiva, Toga, Cirat and Arañuel.  Montanejos welcomes us with its bath areas and thermal waters, a complete paradise for adventure sports. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Rosaleda Mijares.

Day 4: Montanejos-Jérica (35-44 miles; 56-70 km) 
Breakfast at Hotel Rosaleda Mijares. Transfer of luggage and meals provided. We will ascend a hard route towards Puerto de Arenillas (there is a transfer option to the top), from there, we will begin our  route in the direction of Natural Park of Sierra de Espadan: Villages of Moorish origin surrounded by pine and oak forests such as Caudiel, Higueras, Pavías, Torralba del Pinar, Villamalur, Matet y Gaibiel.
Dinner and overnight at Masia de Novales Guesthouse.

Day 5: Jérica- Onda (32 miles/53 km)
Breakfast at Masia de Novales. Transfer of luggage and meals provided. Departure towards Espadan mountains. Vall de Almonacid, Algimia de Almonacid, Alcudia de Veo,and Benitandús Swamp. There are a hundred-year-old cork oak,  Civil War remnants in a route of continuous ascent and descent climbs through great ravishing roads.  
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Toledo. 

Day 6: Onda-Aín (36 miles/58 km)  
Transfer of luggage and meals provided. Departure to Artana, Eslida and we ascend to Eslida mountain pass.  We will go over towns such as Ayodar, Almedijar and we finally will get to the top of Ain mountain pass, one of the most picturesque roads of Spain, surrounded by a luxuriant oak forest.  Arrival to Aín, dinner at Moli del Duc, an old medieval windmill. 
Overnighti at Moli del Duc 

Day 7 Ain
Breakfast at Moli del Duc and transfer to Valencia´s aeroport or train station.

Daily Program: Self-guided

Day 1: Valencia 
We transfer the customers and their luggage to Jerica, where they will stop over the first night at the rural house called Casa Rural Shariqua. Depending on the arrival time, the customers can have dinner in the same accommodation.  This extra a la carte dinner menu is not included, there is a minimum price of 17€.
Overnight at Casa Rural Shariqua. 

Day 2: Alcalá de la Selva-Puertomingalvo (30 miles/51 km) 
Transfer of luggage and meals provided. From Alcala de la Selva we ascend to the ski slopes of Valdelinares (with the option to get to the top) where we start a descend towards Valdelinares, the highest village of Spain.  Passing through the monumental tree, Pino Escobon, we will arrive to Linares de Mora, this place was considered as a place of Cultural Interest because of its well looked after architecture.  Going back to the main route we ascend to Puerto de Linares from where we will arrive to Puertomingalvo and its walled compound.  
Overnight at Entre Portales.

Day 3: Puertomingalvo-Montanejos (43 miles/70 km)
Breakfast at Hostal Entre Portales. Transfer of luggage and meals provided. We will descend towards Villahermosa del Rio, in Valencia. Its centre is a place of interest, with its church, castle and San Antonio hermitage.  We will continue following Villahermosa river valley.  We will found small towns: Cedraman, Castillo de Villamalefa, Ludiente with its spectacular river gorge and finally Argelita. Once we arrive to Mijares Valley, we will continue through this beautiful valley towards Montanejos passing Torrechiva, Toga, Cirat and Arañuel.  Montanejos welcomes us with its bath areas and thermal waters, a complete paradise for adventure sports. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Rosaleda Mijares.

Day 4: Montanejos-Jérica (35-44 miles; 56-70 km) 
Breakfast at Hotel Rosaleda Mijares. Transfer of luggage and meals provided. We will ascend a hard route towards Puerto de Arenillas (there is a transfer option to the top), from there, we will begin our  route in the direction of Natural Park of Sierra de Espadan: Villages of Moorish origin surrounded by pine and oak forests such as Caudiel, Higueras, Pavías, Torralba del Pinar, Villamalur, Matet y Gaibiel.
Dinner and overnight at Masia de Novales Guesthouse.

Day 5: Jérica- Onda (32 miles/53 km)
Breakfast at Masia de Novales. Transfer of luggage and meals provided. Departure towards Espadan mountains. Vall de Almonacid, Algimia de Almonacid, Alcudia de Veo,and Benitandús Swamp. There are a hundred-year-old cork oak,  Civil War remnants in a route of continuous ascent and descent climbs through great ravishing roads.  
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Toledo. 

Day 6: Onda-Aín (36 miles/58 km)  
Transfer of luggage and meals provided. Departure to Artana, Eslida and we ascend to Eslida mountain pass.  We will go over towns such as Ayodar, Almedijar and we finally will get to the top of Ain mountain pass, one of the most picturesque roads of Spain, surrounded by a luxuriant oak forest.  Arrival to Aín, dinner at Moli del Duc, an old medieval windmill. 
Overnighti at Moli del Duc 

Day 7 Ain
Breakfast at Moli del Duc and transfer to Valencia´s aeroport or train station.

Dates: Guided

May 19; Jun 16; Jul 14; Aug 18; Sep 15; and Oct 13, 2013 

Dates: Self-guided

Daily: May 1- Oct 31, 2013

Packages and Prices: Guided

Tour package (guided)
Per person, double occupancy €782 Single supplement (1 person/1 room) €140 High season supplement (August) €50 Optional vegetarian menu for picnics €20 Third person, sharing room €520 Bike Rentals Hybrid touring bike, 21-speed €0 Mountain bike, standard €0 Mountain bike, with disc brakes equipped €40 Helmet €12 Cycle computer €50 Extra nights, Jerica Extra nights, Shariqua €37 Single supplement (1 person, 1 room) €16 Third person sharing one room €29 Lunch or dinner, per person €17

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Tour package (self-guided)
Per person, double occupancy €632 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €140 High season supplement (August) €50 Optional vegetarian menu for picnic lunches €20 Third person pricing (sharing 1 room) €600 Bike Rentals Hybrid touring bike, 21-speed €0 Mountain bike, standard €0 Mountain bike, with disc brakes equipped €40 Tandem €0 Children's bicyle €0 Bicycle tow €0 Child carrier €0 Helmet €12 Cycle computer €50 Extra nights, Jerica Per person, double occupancy €37 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €16 Third person sharing one room €29 Optional dinner or lunch €17

Included Services: Guided

• 6 nights hotel
• Bicycle storage
• Daily transfer of baggage
• 6 breakfasts; 5 picnic lunches; 5 dinners
• Well-equipped tour bike or mountain bike 
• Shuttle service at the beginning and end of tour 

Included Services: Self-guided

• 6 nights hotel
• Bicycle storage
• Daily transfer of baggage
• 6 breakfasts; 5 picnic lunches; 5 dinners
• Well-equipped tour bike or mountain bike 
• Shuttle service at the beginning and end of tour 

Bike Rentals: Guided

Bikes offered include:

• 21-speed hybrid touring bike, Conor Malibu, with front suspension
• Mountain bike Conor AFX
• Mountain bike Conor WRC (additional charge of €40 bike)

Each bike includes the following equipment:

• Front rack and saddlebags
• Carrier
• Pump
• Repair kit (includes 2 spare inner tubes, 2 tire levers, tire patches box, and a multi-tool wrench)
• Small first aid kit
• Front and rear bike lights
• Bike lock
• Raincoat
• 2 water bottles

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

Bikes offered include:

• 21-speed hybrid touring bike, Conor Malibu, with front suspension
• Mountain bike Conor AFX
• Mountain bike Conor WRC (additional charge of €40 bike)

Each bike includes the following equipment:

• Front rack and saddlebags
• Carrier
• Pump
• Repair kit (includes 2 spare inner tubes, 2 tire levers, tire patches box, and a multi-tool wrench)
• Small first aid kit
• Front and rear bike lights
• Bike lock
• Raincoat
• 2 water bottles

Hotels: Guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability. 

Day 1: Casa Rural Shariqua
www.shariqua.com/en/ 

Day 2: Hostel Restaurant Entreportales of Peurtomingalvo
www.entreportales.es/
 
Day 3: Hotel Rosaleda Mijaresa
www.gruporosaleda.com/mijares/
 
Day 4: Masia de Novales
http://www.masianovales.com/ 

Day 5: Gran Hotel Toledo de Onda
www.granhoteltoledo.com

Day 6: Casa Rural Molí del Duc
http://www.molidelduc.com/

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Hotels: Self-guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability. 

Day 1: Casa Rural Shariqua
www.shariqua.com/en/ 

Day 2: Hostel Restaurant Entreportales of Peurtomingalvo
www.entreportales.es/
 
Day 3: Hotel Rosaleda Mijaresa
www.gruporosaleda.com/mijares/
 
Day 4: Masia de Novales
http://www.masianovales.com/ 

Day 5: Gran Hotel Toledo de Onda
www.granhoteltoledo.com

Day 6: Casa Rural Molí del Duc
http://www.molidelduc.com/

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

An ititnerary along rural paths and regional roads. Everything is paved except for a couple of short sections.  It is mostly a descent route with its mountain passes with great climbs.  

All the stages of mountain are combined with uphill and downhill climbs.  Climbs are not very long but hard.  This route includes visiting small towns.  There are many areas of environmental interest and resting areas.

This tour is rated moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition.

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

An ititnerary along rural paths and regional roads. Everything is paved except for a couple of short sections.  It is mostly a descent route with its mountain passes with great climbs.  

All the stages of mountain are combined with uphill and downhill climbs.  Climbs are not very long but hard.  This route includes visiting small towns.  There are many areas of environmental interest and resting areas.

This tour is rated moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition.

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start
Nearest airport: Valencia
Nearest train station: Valencia

Tour end
Nearest airport to end: Valencia
Nearest train station to the end: Valencia

Valencia can also be reached from Madrid or Barcelona by train. From Madrid to Valencia there is a high-speed rail service with prices between 40 and 70 € one way ticket which takes approximately one and a half hours.

From Barcelona there are two railway stations (Conventional Rail: North Station and High-Speed Rail: Joaquin Sorolla), each of these stations has high frequency regional service, the prices are around 40 € and takes approximately three and a half hours.

Tips on getting to and from your tour

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start
Nearest airport: Valencia
Nearest train station: Valencia

Tour end
Nearest airport to end: Valencia
Nearest train station to the end: Valencia

Valencia can also be reached from Madrid or Barcelona by train. From Madrid to Valencia there is a high-speed rail service with prices between 40 and 70 € one way ticket which takes approximately one and a half hours.

From Barcelona there are two railway stations (Conventional Rail: North Station and High-Speed Rail: Joaquin Sorolla), each of these stations has high frequency regional service, the prices are around 40 € and takes approximately three and a half hours.

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Weather: Guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Weather: Self-guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Tour Company Background: Guided

Hardacho S.C. is a company specialized in bicycle touring-outdoor activities. Its location, between the main natural parks of Valencia and South Aragon, with attractive routes as the Greenway of Ojos Negros or Route of El Cid, has allowed to developed a significant activity with all kinds of customers and materials at any time of year.

Tour Company Background: Self-guided

Hardacho S.C. is a company specialized in bicycle touring-outdoor activities. Its location, between the main natural parks of Valencia and South Aragon, with attractive routes as the Greenway of Ojos Negros or Route of El Cid, has allowed to developed a significant activity with all kinds of customers and materials at any time of year.

Terms and Conditions: Hardacho: Guided

- The booking is made one month in advance at most, at the time which the groups will be closed.

- Providing normal costumer data, who will be covered by travel insurance and other accidents since arriving in Valencia till the departure.

- Up to fifteen days before the starting day, the route can be cancelled without penalty.

- In the fifteen days remaining the cancellation charge will be 15% until the tenth day, 20% until the fifth day, 50%  third and fourth days before activity and 100% if the cancellation is made less than 48 hours beginning of the activity.

- If the group does not have enough participants, we will propose perform the self-guided route with a 10% bonus on our price.

- The day of arrival the customer will be taken to our store and choose the materials and equipment included in the tour, proceeding to the preparation of the bike and the equipment. The client can choose additional material not included in the tour price (helmet, GPS etc ...).

- In the self-guided tours, at the beginning of the route will be provided: road maps, road book and travel guide with travel milestones (locations, telephone numbers, etc. ..), the material will be in English and must be returned the end of travel.

Terms and Conditions: Hardacho: Self-guided

- The booking is made one month in advance at most, at the time which the groups will be closed.

- Providing normal costumer data, who will be covered by travel insurance and other accidents since arriving in Valencia till the departure.

- Up to fifteen days before the starting day, the route can be cancelled without penalty.

- In the fifteen days remaining the cancellation charge will be 15% until the tenth day, 20% until the fifth day, 50%  third and fourth days before activity and 100% if the cancellation is made less than 48 hours beginning of the activity.

- If the group does not have enough participants, we will propose perform the self-guided route with a 10% bonus on our price.

- The day of arrival the customer will be taken to our store and choose the materials and equipment included in the tour, proceeding to the preparation of the bike and the equipment. The client can choose additional material not included in the tour price (helmet, GPS etc ...).

- In the self-guided tours, at the beginning of the route will be provided: road maps, road book and travel guide with travel milestones (locations, telephone numbers, etc. ..), the material will be in English and must be returned the end of travel.