SPAIN – Marina Alta Summits & Singletrack The Mountain Biking
Holiday Facts
This whole region was once populated by the Moors, a nation of great traders who cut many twisting trails through the rugged limestone mountains. The remains of these ancient narrow rocky tracks are perfect for off-road bikers and often give access to the most remote mountains, forests and hidden villages. Our expert guides have built up an incredible wealth of knowledge in the 14 years they have been resident and are able to plan the best routes for the group, or to allow the group to split to meet different ability levels. They make riders aware of any tricky ride sections as they approach giving sound advice on how to tackle them for full enjoyment. They aim to take you deep into the Valencian Mountains and guide you through some of the best Mountain biking trails that this beautiful region of Spain can offer.
Price (excluding flights): £695 per person
Usual daily distances: 35km to 45km Days of Mountain Biking: 6 Terrain: There is a great deal of singletrack riding, sometimes on narrow, rocky trails which cling to the sides of the mountains. In places there are options to avoid the most technical riding, but a good level of skill and confidence is required throughout the tour. Tour staff: 2 qualified mountain bike guides will go out with you if the group is at different levels of ability.
Two Guides This holiday is a two-guide tour. Choosing a mountain biking tour with two guides has a huge range of benefits, including:
Flexible ride choices, with more challenging options on the same day, if needed. (great for groups/couples of differing abilities) Greater knowledge, thanks to the blend of experiences and skills that two guides can bring to the trip Smoother service, as everything flows more easily, from loading bikes, to bike set up, to everyday tour management
Qualification of the Highest Standards (MBLA Leaders) - Our Spanish guiding team are some of the most experienced, qualified and highly professional mountain bikers you could ever ride with. Trained in the UK to the highest standards through the Mountain Bike Leaders Awards scheme. If you want to find out more about the cycling, the guiding or anything else about Spain – please just give us a call. Our office team is always ready to help with enquiries, and if they don’t know the answer they’ll get one of the guides to ring you back.
Contact us to find out more or reserve your space: Email:
[email protected] Call: + 44 (0)1768 840400 Web: www.cycleactive.co.uk
Approx flight price: £120-£180 Duration: 8 days Saturday to Saturday The biking: 7 days, centre based Two guides Fitness grade 3 Skill grade C Group size 4 - 8 What’s included: 7 nights guesthouse accommodation 5 days of professionally guided rides En-suite rooms with WiFi All breakfasts 5 evening meals 5 packed lunches Tea and cakes after every guided ride Airport transfers (at set times) Vehicle uplifts/transfers for some rides Optional Extras: Single room guarantee: 105 Euros Bike rental: 120 Euros - hardtail 190 - 240 Euros - full suspension Deposit - 100 Euros (refundable) Extra airport transfer: 120 Euros one way (up to 6 people)
SPAIN – Marina Alta Summits & Singletrack Itinerary Day 1 - Saturday - Arrival You fly from your departure airport into Alicante airport where you should arrive anytime before 2pm local time for the scheduled 1 hour 45 minute transfer up to the mountains (alternative transfers can be arranged at additional cost). On arrival at our guest house we soon get the bikes built up in good time before dinner. If you’re renting a bike, our guides will get it fitted up for you to test out. After dinner your hosts/guides will brief you on what’s to come during your week with us and answer any questions that you may have.
Day 2 – Sunday - Explore the Marina Alta From our base in the village of Castell de Castells we ride straight from the door and into superb biking terrain. Breathtaking scenery is in abundance as we ease into a week of great riding picking up ancient cattle paths and narrow donkey trails through a steeply terraced landscape, fruit groves, shady copses and Moorish castles. No gates or stiles to encounter – just miles of uninterrupted trails that we explore with expert guides. After acclimatisation and a brief visit to Los Arcos famous natural rock arches enroute, the “Gecko” trail brings an early taste of Mozarabic single track riding typical of the region. Lunch follows at a suitable spot en- route before we race back through a postcard almond valley overlooked by the imposing Los Arcos. After a final rough climb we traverse high on the mountainside before twisting down the “Weasel” a fast flowing single track run that links us back into the village.
Day 3 – Monday - Al Azrac’s Kingdom A short vehicle journey takes us to today’s ride start – a sleepy village overlooked by steep rocky crags (you can start a little earlier and ride across if you prefer). A short warm up climb brings the first single track descent into the forested kingdom of Al-Azrac, the once feared Moorish King. A morning mix of great cross country riding follows - rough tracks and single track hunter trail through pine and oak. Ancient ice houses and cave houses offer interesting pauses along the way. Francisco greets us for a relaxed lunch at his popular friendly family bar. For anyone looking for an easy afternoon.............the bar offers a peaceful oasis in which to relax sampling the odd beer and tapas as the rest of us move on into a real afternoon adventure. Challenging rough climbs, fast descents and hidden ancient rocky single track are all encountered under the watchful eye of “Cyclops”- an amazing naturally formed eye in the mountain. Eventually “Afan España”- a sweet flowing single track hunter trail completes the day and brings us back to Francisco’s bar for a cool beer whilst the bikes are guide loaded for the short journey back to base. Day 4 – Tuesday - Marina Alta’s deep delights. Today we ride out direct from base to further explore the Marina Alta’s superb MTB terrain. The morning brings a series of steady undulating climbs through Olive and Almond terraces taking us high into the mountains. An amazing narrow drover route then thrills and eventually delivers us to a shady mountain Refugio for a well earned lunch. The morning climbs have set up an afternoon of more top riding – 90% downhill! With lunch settled, a rough trail takes us to the mountains’ end and amazing views to the Med. and Ibiza. We then guide you through “Cabra Pass”, a criss - cross of un-marked goat trails giving an incredible single track journey across the mountains for you and your guides who formed the path some years ago. A fast, exhilarating rough forest descent and boar run then takes us to the head of “Snake Pass” a classic single track hunter trail. The “Snake’s”series of tight switchback challenges and sweeping forest finish brings us back into the village for welcoming tea and cake on the guest house roof terrace.
Contact us to find out more or reserve your space: Email:
[email protected] Call: + 44 (0)1768 840400 Web: www.cycleactive.co.uk
SPAIN – Marina Alta Summits & Singletrack Itinerary Day 5 – Wednesday - Relaxation, Ride and more. Wednesday and the one free day for our staff and a day of choices for you. If you are not used to riding multiple day rides then we recommend that you take a day off from the bike to rest and recover so you can really enjoy the second half of the week. However, if you’d like to do some unguided riding we can give you some good ideas for places to go with some great challenging single track. If you’d like a change of pace we also have details of some great local walks. We often arrange for a minibus transfer to and from the coastal resort of Denia allowing access to some great coastal walks, beaches, Castle, museums, cafes and restaurants for you to enjoy at your leisure. There are many other options that our guides are happy to discuss and arrange for you. Day 6 – Thursday - “El Torre” Today we venture further afield to access more top Spanish single track opened up by your guides in 2012. A short transfer through vineyards drops us high in the mountains where we set off for a full day on amazing trails. A warm up loop sets us up for our morning climb to an old Moorish fort commanding impressive panoramic views. The “Bull Run”, a flowing single track then delivers us down to “Smiler’s” bar for a relaxed refreshment break in stunning scenery. A wonderful, long, narrow, rocky mountain traverse then takes us on to a favourite lunch spot amongst twisted vines. A short post lunch climb brings us to “Pavo Pass”- another exciting trail which carves its way down into the valley below and on to Kiko’s bar and our support vehicle. Anyone tiring and wanting an early finish can spend a little time at Kiko’s before boarding the bus which moves on to the full ride end. Those riding on will be thrilled on one of the “Los Lobos" hunter trails, our ultimate single track run of the day. A short distance later we meet our repositioned vehicle where the trailer is guide loaded whilst you enjoy cool refreshments from the bus. Then it’s back to base for a rest before dinner. Day 7 – Friday - Head for the Med Today we enjoy a classic Marina Alta ride – a breathtaking journey that cuts through the high mountains and down to the shores of the Mediterranean. We head out from the Guest house after breakfast, spinning through the village before cutting off on a favourite donkey trail. From here it’s a rollercoaster journey towards the sea, still involving some climbs, but enjoying a succession of stunning descents and an unforgettable Mozarabic trail section. The views are to die for. The climate zones and ecosystems change around us as we lose altitude. From the steep mountain terraces massed with almond and olive trees we roll into sweet smelling citrus groves with oranges, lemons and tangerines in abundance. The Nispero fruit orchards for which the area is famous then follow. A favourite village bar stop en-route serves up a real tasty last day treat before we move on past the Algar Falls nestled in amongst ancient Carob and Olive trees. A final climb sets up a wonderful mixed descent of rough forest trail and single track through the Nispero orchards and on to Altea our coastal destination for a late lunch on the beach. Altea’s clear waters provide a great opportunity to swim. We often enjoy a game of beach volleyball or venture into the fascinating old town for a stroll. Cafes and bars are in abundance. After your fill of food, drink, sun and surf the minibus takes us back to base for our last night together. Day 8 – Saturday - Heading home We get the final bike packing done and ready for the journey home. Depending on flight departure times you may just squeeze in a quick local unguided ride, but otherwise you can enjoy a lazy start before the journey to Alicante and then home.
Contact us to find out more or reserve your space: Email:
[email protected] Call: + 44 (0)1768 840400 Web: www.cycleactive.co.uk
