The best cycling routes around La Plana

La Plana offers a wide selection of touring cycling routes, with over 750 options to explore. These routes cater to various skill levels, including approximately 235 easy, 200 moderate, and 315 difficult trails.

La Plana's touring cycling routes showcase a diverse range of landscapes. You can enjoy scenic rides along the Mediterranean coastline with extensive sea views, traverse through natural parks like Desert de les Palmes and Sierra de Irta, or explore inland areas featuring rice fields, orchards, and historical sites. The region transitions from flat coastal paths to rugged mountain terrain, offering varied backdrops for your cycling adventures.

Yes, La Plana is well-suited for beginners and families, with approximately 235 easy touring cycling routes. Many of these are flat, paved, and offer minimal elevation gain. A popular choice is the From Benicàssim to Oropesa via the Vía Verde del Mar, which follows a scenic greenway along the coast. Another accessible option is the Burriana and Marjal de Nules Coastal Loop, offering pleasant coastal views.

Absolutely. For experienced cyclists seeking a challenge, La Plana offers around 315 difficult routes. These often feature significant elevation gain and traverse more rugged terrain, particularly within natural parks. A notable challenging route is the Natural Park of the Desert de Le Palmes – Circular from Benicàssim, which leads through a protected area with stunning coastal views and demanding ascents.

Greenways, or Vías Verdes, are old railway lines that have been converted into accessible and scenic paths, perfect for touring cycling. In La Plana, you can enjoy the Vía Verde del Mar (Oropesa del Mar – Benicàssim), which offers refreshing sea breezes and passes through tunnels. A route that utilizes this is the Via Verde Oropesa Benicassim – Tunnel de Capicorb loop from Benicàssim.

Many routes in La Plana offer access to beautiful viewpoints and attractions. Along coastal routes, you might encounter the Benicàssim Viewpoint or the Playa del Gurugú. Inland, routes through the Desert de les Palmes Natural Park can lead you to the Hermitage of Saint Michael on Pico Bartolo or the Bartolo Summit, offering panoramic views. The Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca Natural Park is another natural monument worth exploring.

Yes, La Plana features numerous circular touring cycling routes, allowing you to start and end your journey in the same location. Examples include the From Castelló to Benicàssim – Circular via the Paseo Marítimo, which offers coastal views, and the Sitjar Reservoir Loop from Onda, providing scenic views around the reservoir.

La Plana benefits from a privileged climate with many sunny days, making it suitable for touring cycling almost year-round. The mild temperatures, even in months like early December, allow for comfortable cycling. Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant, avoiding the peak summer heat while still enjoying excellent weather conditions.

The touring cycling routes in La Plana are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 2,900 reviews. Cyclists frequently praise the region's diverse terrain, which seamlessly blends Mediterranean coastlines with natural parks and greenways. The variety of routes catering to all ability levels, from easy coastal rides to challenging climbs, is also a highlight for many.

Yes, La Plana offers several longer touring cycling routes for those looking for extended rides. For instance, the Torrenostra Seafront Promenade – Torre de la Sal loop from Orpesa covers nearly 59 km, while the Torrenostra Beach – Torre de la Sal loop from Torreblanca is over 52 km, providing ample distance for a full day's adventure.

Yes, the region is becoming increasingly cycle-friendly. In areas like Castellón de la Plana, establishments such as 'The Bicycle Café' are known as popular stops for cyclists, often featuring cycling memorabilia. Many routes, especially those along the coast or through towns, will have opportunities for refreshments and breaks.

While specific public transport details for each trail vary, La Plana de l'Arc is actively working to connect sea and inland areas, which often includes improving accessibility. Major towns like Castellón de la Plana and Benicàssim are well-connected, and some routes, like the Via Verde Oropesa Benicassim – Tunnel de Capicorb loop from Estació de Castelló, start directly from train stations, indicating public transport options are available for reaching certain trailheads.