Routes for Valencia by bike: Valencia is an ideal city to see by bike. A wide network of bike lanes and trails spread throughout the city regulates bicycle traffic and protects cyclists from car traffic. There are also a lot of other factors that make using a bicycle in Valencia a favorable method of transportation: the city layout is flat, without a lot of hills or inclines, and there isn’t a large distance from the city center to any of the principle tourist attractions, the weather in Valencia is enviably pleasant, and it often provides the cyclists with warmth and sun.
In Valencia, there are many businesses that offer bike rentals, either for a few hours or for a few days, and the Ayuntameinto manages a public bike rental called “Valenbisi”. There are also several businesses that offer tours around the city for families and groups.
There is a wide range of biking possibilities in Valencia that aren’t offered by the cycling tourism: from a city ride that would let us see the historical areas and the most important neighborhoods in Valencia, to trips that could take several hours to the outskirts of the city to go along the coastline, find yourself in the farmlands and orchards, and enjoy the peace and purity of the natural park of la Albufera.
With the possible bike routes that you can do in Valencia, we are proposing two new options: the first, a trip through the beautiful gardens, Jardines del Turia, in Valencia; the second, a cycling journey through the periphery of the city that leads you out to the orchards of Alboraia.
A tour of the old Turia Riverbed
This bicycle route goes along the riverbank of the river Turia until it reaches the city of Valencia, where the old riverbed has been turned into a kilometer long park that ventures along the length of the metropolitan area. The path splits from La Pobla de Vallbona, a small town on the outskirts of Valencia, and your final destination leaves you in the historic center of the Valencian capital.
To reach the starting point of this route you need to take the FGV (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana) train that leaves the city of Valencia and gets off at the Pobla de Vallbona station. From here you begin a trip of a little more than 20 kilometers, most of which is slightly downhill, and which is mostly made of dirt roads. The trail goes along riverview paths and pretty nature views by the banks of the river Turia. The little town of Manises marks the end of the first stretch of the tour.
The trip then continues toward the Cabecera park, which is the starting point of the park that now occupies what used to be the Turia riverbed. The ending point of this trip is up to you; you can choose your own end based on the area of Valencia in which you wish to stay. For example, the Serrano Towers, the old city gate that rises up to look out on the gardens in Turia, is a perfect landmark to keep from getting lost and easily reach the historical center of the city.
For more information on this route, you can look online at MetroValencia, under the “BiciMetro” section which is dedicated to similar bike tours, and click to look at route number 18.
It’s important to note that along the first stretch of the trail there is nowhere to stop and get provisions, so we recommend double-checking to make sure you have enough food and water. Also keep in mind that the complete trail to the park, Parque de Cabecera, is28 kilometers, so it could be rather difficult for children.
A trip through the Valencian orchards along a stretch of the old Via Augusta Romana
This route starts at the northen limit of Valencia, at the intersection of the roads from Catalunya and Antonia Machado Avenues, very close to the tram stop of the polytech university, Universidad Politécnica. A bike lane that has been made following the paths of the old Via Augusta Romana takes us into the Valencian orchard and chufa (tiger nut), the small, sweet nut used to make the Valencian horchata. The first town that comes across our paths is Alboraya, where they say you can drink the best horchata in Valencia, together with the delectable fartón (a sweet bread typically dipped in and eaten with horchata).
After leaving Alboraya behind, and continuing on the bike trail, we enter Savoia, a horticultural beauty, and possibly the most beautiful and well preserved piece of the Valencian orchards nurtured by the waters of the River Turia.
When we find ourselves at the crossroads between the towns of Meliana and Almassera we should go to the left, toward our final destination, where we can visit the museum, Museo de l’Horta de Almassera, or, if we find ourselves with energy to keep cycling, continuing on a little ways north until Meliana. Another option is, when we reach that last crossroads, to turn right, which will take us to the beach town of Port Saplaya and end our bike trip with a dip in the Mediterranean Sea or walking along the canals that bathe its streets.
Hostels in Valencia offering bike rentals to cycle around Valencia
Hôme Youth Hostel and Hôme Backpackers Hostel, the two hostels that Hôme Hostels has in Valencia, are located in the historic centre of the city. Hôme Youth Hostel, particularly, is located two steps from the Plaza del Mercado, one of the neuralgic centers of the city, since it is the place where both the symbolic gothic building of the Lonja (formerly a silk market) and the Central Market stand.
Both Hôme Youth Hostel and Hôme Backpackers are two cheap-priced hostels that are located in the most attractive and lively area of Valencia, conceived for backpackers, university students, Erasmus students, and eager and adventurous travelers… Both hostels offer bed linen and towel service, lockers in every room, and also Internet connection, and free WiFi.
Hôme Backpackers and Home Youth Hostel are two clear examples that low-cost accommodation has nothing to do with low quality accommodation. So, if you are thinking about coming to Valencia, do not hesitate to make your booking at Hôme Hostels Valencia: it is an unbeatable choice for those with a different idea of what a touristic trip means.