Ten of the most epic cycle rides in Spain

Andalucía

Stefan/Flickr

The TransAndalus trail is a 2,000km (1,240 miles) long circuit specifically designed for mountain bikes. It goes through the eight provinces of Andalucía and gives experienced riders a chance to pass through incredible natural sites, such as the Sierra Nevada, Doñana and Cabo de Gata national parks.

Toledo province

Bob Fisher/ Flickr

Spain's government has turned many of the country's abandoned railway lines into awesome cycling and hiking trails, known as 'vias verdes'. The via verde of Via de la Jara in Toledo province offers stunning views and gives cyclists the chance to go over aqueducts and through train tunnels.

Alicante

Michele Solmi/ Flickr

Fancy a relaxing ride overlooking the Mediterranean sea? This 26-km (16-mile) route from San Juan beach through El Campello village is ideal for bikers of all ages. Get to the finish line and cool down at Coveta Fuma cove before taking the tram back to the city center.

Barcelona

Patricil Complex/Flickr

Camino de Santiago de Compostela

Photo: Cathedral de Sanitago

The Central Massif 

Photo: Francisco Antunes / Flickr

Choose from up to 80 different routes running through this amazing mountain range which starts in Madrid and ends in Portugal. Check out the Senderia (senderosdelsistemacentral.com) website to plan your trip accordingly. It will provide you with the best routes for the time you have available.

Madrid

Photo: Olga Berrios / Flickr

Live in the capital and want to go on an improvised bike ride? Via Verde Tajuna, one of the abandoned railway lines Spain's government has converted into a bike path, offers city dwellers the chance to escape the hustle and bustle without planning ahead. Get off at the last stop on Metro line 9 (Arganda del Rey) and hop on to your bici!

Cadiz

Photo: DuncanC/FlickrPhilipus

This 37km (22 mile) Via Verde de la Sierra route runs from the village of Puerto Serrano in the province of Cadiz to Olvera, a small village north-east of Ronda. It goes through no less than 30 tunnels and 4 viaducts as well as valleys and river banks. Free of traffic and a relatively easy ride overall, it’s ideal for a family day trip – and if the little ones are too tired, taxi with bicycle racks are available for the return journey.

Lanzarote

Photo: Mike Lawrence/Flickr

Go for a ride through the land of volcanoes -Timanfaya National Park. Ideal for mountain bikers, there is even an 8km (5 mile) downhill track through the island’s unique landscapes and lava fields. The archipelago's mild climate makes it a biking paradise throughout the year.

Majorca

Vaidotas Mišeikis/Flickr