Cycle The Ruta Del Cid, or the Way of El Cid, the most famous medieval knight in Europe. From Burgos in northern Spain to Valencia on the southern coast on an epic bike bike tour of 750km over 14 days.

Visit medieval castles, cycle past Roman aqueducts, and explore Spanish culture and cuisine, between the provinces of Burgos, Soria, Guadalajara, Teruel, and finally to Valencia.

During the 14 days, you will explore some of the most stunning examples of Medieval architecture in Spain, including staying in unique hotels.

It is a route that crosses the most important sites of the Reconquista: castles, abbeys, churches, palaces, archaeological sites, museums, as well as medieval plazas with their vibrant tapas scene.

This itinerary is an invitation to discover a land of castles, history, culture and nature, where you can enjoy traditional products, gastronomy, and a wide range of activities and leisure time activities.

A Letter of Safe Conduct is available at Visit Valencia tourist offices, and allows you to keep track of your own El Cid adventures along the trail. This free document can be stamped at more than 500 points along the route.

At the end of the ride you will have a great memento and can receive the official certificate, provided that you obtain at least four stamps from each of the eight provinces.

While the cycling is not particularly challenging the duration of the this self-guided bicycle tour makes it suitable for intermediate to expert cyclists. All you really need is the time to enjoy this epic biking adventure!

Average Daily Distance: 36 miles

Average Daily Elevation Gain: 1947 feet

Terrain: 14% Gravel / 86% paved roads

Recommended Bike Type: Gravel / E-Bike / Touring / Hybrid

Route Type: A to B (start and finish at different locations)

Best Months: May / June / July / September / October

Highlights

• Follow the route of El Cid as the famous Spanish book from the 13th century narrates the adventures of this charismatic warrior. 
• Travel through one of the most unknow parts of Spain, discovering lots of visual and historical gems.
• Get a feeling of the medieval times, with the castles and villages you will find on your way.
• Ride safely on roads and back roads with little traffic, having time to enjoy the wild and sometimes harsh landscape.
• Have time out of the bike, with two rest days to visit Molina de Aragon and Teruel.
• End you trip arriving to the lively and spectacular Valencia, and swim in the Mediterranean sea!

Itinerary

Prologue: Burgos to Vivar (Loop)
As a prologue to get ready for longer stages, ride a loop from Burgos to Vivar del Cid, the real starting point of this adventure.

Day 1: Burgos to Covarrubias
First long stage that over a rolling terrain, including 17km of bike paths, that takes you to see the first monasteries and castles, finally arriving to the charming town of Covarrubias

Day 2: Covarrubias to Peñaranda de Duero
The glorious monastery located in Santo Domingo de Silos will make you forget the hills you had climb, while the second part of the route is a favorable terrain that ends in Peñaranda, a walled town with a proper fortress.

Day 3: Peñaranda de Duero to Burgo de Osma
Shorter day on the bike with a brilliant final part, where the medieval towns of San Esteban and Burgo de Osma with take you to past centuries.

Day 4: Burgo de Osma to Atienza
Tough day on the bike as you are getting some altitude but plenty of rewarding sights and a beautiful end in Atienza, where a castle that was considered impregnable in the past is still there.

Day 5: Atienza to Siguenza
Quite an easy ride to recover that ends in Siguenza, with its castle (now a great hotel), cathedral, walls, medieval streets and the beautiful Rio Dulce gorge.

Day 6: Siguenza to Molina de Aragon
Long and very diverse ride with some highlights as the dirt track along the Tajuña river and the view of the "paramos", to finally arrive to Molina de Aragon.

Day 7: Rest day in Molina de Aragon
Molina, located at the entrance of the Upper Tagus Natural Park, is a city to walk to around. It is a premium historic-artistic location where its splendid fortified complex stands out (the medieval fortress, the tower of Aragon, the tower of Medina and the walls). The walk through the city takes us through the evocative narrow streets of the Jewish quarter and the Moorish quarter.

Day 8: Molina de Aragon to Orea
During this ride you will recover some altitude that will give you rewarding views of the nature in this unpopulated area, with plenty of dramatic scenery to enjoy..

Day 9: Orea to Albarracin
A rewarding stage with a long downhill to arrive with plenty of time to one of the most special places in this tour: Albarracin. With no doubt, Albarracin is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain!

Day 10: Albarracín to Teruel
Easy stage that allows you a morning walk in the spectacular Albarracin. Then, and after so many days crossing areas with low population, it's time to arrive to a city, to change a little bit of scene. Teruel will welcome you!

Day 11: Rest day in Teruel
Teruel is a town of great monumental and artistic interest, very pleasant to visit due to its size as a small provincial capital. Teruel is considered the capital of the Aragonese Mudejar. The Mudejars were the Muslims who remained in their lands after the Christian conquest.

Day 12: Teruel to Rubielos de Mora
Almost the first half of this ride is over a compact dirt track to skip busy roads and then there is more scenery to enjoy with rolling hills and little towns on your way.

Day 13: Rubielos de Mora to Segorbe
After all the hills you pass, today you will tackle the last one (Alto de las Palomas). As you keep travelling eastwards the influence of the Mediterranean environment start to be noticeable, with changes in the landscape and food. Will you notice it?

Day 14: Segorbe to Valencia
With around 30 km downhill and views of the sea, this ride is really wonderful. Once you are in the flat area, not far from the coast, you will pedal to Valencia, a proper city plenty of magic to celebrate your trip!

Please note that daily distances will vary based on your choice of accommodation and site visits or detours.

Route Map