Anyone considering a cycling holiday in Spain will soon come across the well-known regions. Usually just across the border around Girona, in the Basque Country or further down on the Costa Blanca coast. But those who look beyond just the familiar names will see regions that stand out due to their unique range of cycling opportunities. One of those regions is Extremadura.
In this relatively unknown region, you'll find a number of gems. Gems that will make you say: I have to go there! We'll take you through the highlights of Extremadura. For those who don't know which region we're talking about, let's consult the map for a moment.
On the west side of Spain, against the border with Portugal, just above Andalusia, we find Extremadura. The region is relatively sparsely populated and is known for its capital, Mérida, where you will find a lot of Roman history. Outside the cities, you will find, among other things, Monfragüe National Park as an absolute highlight.
Green Gravel Ways – Vias Verdes
If you really want to discover the region, then that's perfect via the different ‘Green Ways’ that run through the region. The Vias Verdes are all old railway lines that have fallen into disuse over time. They have now been converted into cycle paths and walking trails intended for everyone. But they are especially lovely for gravel biking! In total, there are 170km of Vias Verdes in Extremadura to discover, divided into four routes. They offer a beautiful insight into the region.
La Plata Route
In the north of the region, you'll find ‘La Plata’. This Via Verde runs from Baños de Montemayor to Plasencia. This is only the Via Verde section, as the entire ‘Ruta de La Plata’ runs right through Extremadura from north to south (or vice versa). This is the well-known ‘Silver Route’ that connects the north with the south.
Because of the pull that Santiago de Compostela has, many drive the Silver Route From south to north. This may also have to do with the fact that you can start in the sun and end in the sun, depending on how long you want to take. This Via Verde is therefore perfectly combinable with a longer trip, or if you simply want to ride a section of the Silver Route. Go for a nice day on the gravel bike, or do it on a weekend bikepacking trip, taking a different route there and back. Or go for a wellness bikepacking trip and visit the spa in Baños de Montemayor and/or Salugral (Hervas).
The entire Silver Route through Extremadura is 339km, with the stretch between Plasencia and Baños being ‘only’ 49km. Do take into account the elevation gain, almost 700m in total. Nearby you can find the Mirador La Garganta and the Corral de los Lobos, among other places. Just across the border into Castilla y León, you'll find the Navamuño reservoir and its associated dam. Always impressive. Don't forget, in this Gaudi year, the treehouse ‘Casita del Árbol y Fantasia de Gaudi’. It's a short bike ride from Baños.
Monfragüe
Extremadura's National Park is Monfragüe. If you're going off-road cycling (gravel or MTB) or cycling in the region at all, this is a must-do. The Via Verde follows the old railway line between the city of Cáceres and Madrid. The route in Monfragüe park is only 17.8km long, but we're happy to highlight it here because of its beauty. You ride straight along the railway and in the route we've included, you'll also venture further into the park afterwards. In the park, you'll find a multitude of bird species and you can also take a closer look at the biodiversity in this nature park. Beautiful rock formations in all sorts of colours, an old castle, and a number of lovely viewpoints.
The route is 55km in total and you can optionally take a train to Monfragüe to then continue cycling. Along the route, you will also cycle over the Tiétar Dam, by the river of the same name.
Vegas del Guadiana
This is a wonderful ‘three-in-one route’. Here you follow the old railway line from Talavera de la Reina to Villanueva de la Serena. What's in a name. Talavera is in Castilla-La Mancha, so the route runs from Villanueva to Logrosán. In total, this is 57km one way. This route is really all about the region's mining past.
Not only will you travel from the province of Cáceres to Badajoz with this route, but you'll also be treated to beautiful fields. Additionally, you'll drive through the ‘Dehesa’, which can best be described as a kind of savanna area with cork oaks, ideal for herding (and ultimately slaughtering) Iberian pigs, among other things. Although the latter sounds a bit harsh, it's an area that offers a balance between economic exploitation and nature conservation.
The mountains formed by an ocean that lay there millions of years ago also make it a unique area.
The route offers something extra: it is the perfect winter retreat for migratory birds such as cranes, which then seek the warmth of Spain in contrast to the cold of Northern Europe. You will also find the magnificent dam on the Sierra Brava here.
This route is easily extended with the Camino Natural de Guadiana in the south or the Camino Natural de Villuercas (in the north).
La Jayona
The route between Fuente del Arco and Peñarroyo (in the province of Córdoba) used to have a railway line that supported mining. If you want to cycle this route, head to the south of Extremadura. The origin of this Via Verde is at the La Jayona Mine, which was a former iron mine that contributed to the importance of this route. You can also visit the mine, and it’s one of Extremadura’s National Monuments (making it a must-do, so be sure to wear good shoes though). Additionally, along this 30km route you’ll also encounter the ‘Sistine Chapel of Extremadura’, the Hermitage of the Altar, ...against. Definitely make a stop here, if only for the beautiful paintings.
Other options for discovering the region by bike
There are a number of other routes you can try. In the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark, you can trek from north to south or south to north. A total of 66km is perfect for a day trip, starting in Bohonal de Ibor or Guadalupe. Please note: this route involves a significant amount of elevation gain. Depending on your starting point, this will be between 1300 and 1500 metres of ascent. So, you will need some time for this. It is not necessarily very technical.
Hotel tips
One of the best places to sleep in Spain on a cycling holiday is a cyclist-friendly hotel. You can find cyclist-friendly hotels in a ‘parador’. A parador is an old stately building, such as castles, palaces, monasteries, or country houses, which truly offers a unique sleeping environment. In Extremadura, you have several ‘paradores’, including in Valence where this is located in an old monastery.
Also in Jarandilla de la Vera, in the north, you will find several nice options, including the Hotel Ruta Hotel Ruta Imperial.
How do I get there?
This region in Spain is perhaps less well-known as it has no international airport. For direct international connections, you will need to go to Seville (approximately 3 hours' drive) or Madrid. From both airports, you can then travel on by train or hire car.
If you want to land nearby, you can also transfer to Badajoz Airport travel. There is an airport with multiple domestic flights per day, including to Madrid
TrainAnother option is public transport, where you would then travel via the Madrid hub. Expect a day's travel towards Madrid via Bayonne and then a short trip to Mérida or Cáceres.
CarBy car, it's a two-day trip and perhaps even a three-day trip. That's because it's 2100 km driving from Utrecht to Mérida. Then stop somewhere between Bordeaux and Bayonne, or if you break it into three, stop between Paris and Bordeaux and then in Burgos or Valladolid.
Best travel time
The best time to travel to Extremadura is between March and June and in the autumn, between September and November.
The most pleasant temperatures are found in March-April and September-November. It lies slightly more inland than the neighbouring region of Andalusia, so take into account colder temperatures in winter. That said, it is still lovely there, even in autumn and winter.
Want to know more about travelling to Extremadura? For more information and the latest news, visit the website of Extremadura Tourism
