Benidorm is far more than just sun and beaches: it is also one of the Costa Blanca’s leading cycling destinations. From Climia Benidorm Plaza, right in the heart of the city, you can head straight for the coast, venture inland into the mountainous landscapes of the Marina Baixa, or combine sea views, mountain passes and charming villages in a single ride.
It is no coincidence that some of the world’s top teams and riders choose the Costa Blanca for their pre-season training camps: Benidorm has established itself as a major cycling training hub thanks to its mild climate for much of the year, the quality of its roads and the sheer variety of routes on offer, as well as hosting top-level events such as the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup.
1.BENIDORM PLAZA – EL CAMPELLO
Road route | Easy | 59.65 km
This is the ideal route for anyone looking for a smooth, enjoyable ride with a true Mediterranean feel. The route to El Campello lets you pedal along the coast and through lively urban areas with a great atmosphere. Once in El Campello, highlights include its 23-kilometre coastline, Platja del Carrer La Mar and its seafront promenade beside the old fishermen’s quarter, one of those places that invites you to stop, enjoy a drink and soak up the sea views before setting off back.
It is a great option for a first day of your stay or for riders who want to clock up the kilometres without too much intensity. It also works brilliantly as an activation ride: long enough to feel satisfying, but without the demands of the major inland climbs.
2. BENIDORM PLAZA – AMADORIO RESERVOIR
Road route | Moderate | 60.83 km
If you fancy swapping the blue of the sea for a calmer inland landscape, this route to Amadorio Reservoir is a very good choice. Amadorio lies between Villajoyosa and Orxeta and stands out for its natural surroundings, just a short distance from the Mediterranean. In fact, various tourism sources describe it as one of the reservoirs closest to the sea in Spain, which explains that striking contrast between water, mountains and coastal proximity.
Reaching the reservoir is rewarding for the sheer change of scenery. The area is associated with a circular route of around 16 kilometres, fairly easy-going and without major climbs, which gives a good idea of the peaceful character of the setting once you arrive. For cyclists staying in Benidorm, this route has a clear appeal: in a very short time, it takes you from an urban, tourist atmosphere to a much quieter and more contemplative landscape.
3. BENIDORM PLAZA – SERRA GELADA
Mountain bike route | Easy | 29.96 km
For those who prefer MTB or want a shorter yet highly scenic route, Serra Gelada is always a safe bet. Serra Gelada Natural Park covers more than 5,600 hectares, much of it marine, and is home to some of the most spectacular cliffs on the Alicante coastline, with rock faces rising over 300 metres. What is more, one of its best-known routes links Benidorm with the area around Albir and offers views of the Mediterranean from different points along the ride.
The best thing about this route is that, despite its shorter distance, it delivers a wonderfully complete sense of place: mountains, wide-open sea views and a route that is accessible to a broad range of cyclists. It is perfect for anyone who wants to ride without straying too far from the hotel and return with the feeling of having discovered one of the area’s most distinctive landscapes.
4. BENIDORM PLAZA – MAS DE LA MONJA
Mountain bike route | Moderate | 25.53 km
Mas de la Monja raises the bar slightly and is better suited to riders looking for a more physical and more technical MTB outing, with an approach via cycle lane and forest track, followed by a steady climb to altitudes of around 600 metres and a descent that can feature loose stones and rougher sections. That combination explains why, despite not being a particularly long route, the climb to Mas de la Monja is very much felt as a mountain ride with real character.
It is a highly recommended route for those who enjoy the terrain more than the mileage. This is less about piling on the kilometres and more about savouring the climb, managing your effort and making the most of the descent. In other words: a short route, but one with plenty of personality.
5.BENIDORM PLAZA – PUERTO DE TUDONS
Road route | Difficult | 97.5 km
With Tudons, we move into a more demanding category: a long-distance route that calls for strong legs, stamina and the ability to pace yourself properly. In Benidorm cycling guides, it appears as a ride of nearly 90 kilometres with close to 2,000 metres of elevation gain, with tough ramps at the start and a succession of climbs and descents between Sierra Cortina and Puig Campana. In addition, Puerto de Tudons is regarded as one of Alicante’s best-known road cycling climbs and forms part of the shared imagination of many riders who train on the Costa Blanca.
This is a route for those who want to take away something more than just a pretty ride from Benidorm: a proper day in the saddle. The reward lies not only in reaching the summit, but also in feeling how the landscape changes as you leave the coast behind and head into a much quieter, more mountainous side of Alicante.
6. BENIDORM PLAZA – COLL DE RATES – CONFRIDES
Road route | Difficult | 106.40 km
Few combinations sound as good to a cyclist on the Costa Blanca as linking Coll de Rates with the inland surroundings of Confrides. Coll de Rates is considered by numerous specialist guides to be one of the region’s most famous cycling climbs, a regular feature in the training rides of amateurs and professionals alike. Adding Confrides to the equation also brings in the appeal of an inland village, perfectly representing that other side of the province: more rural, more peaceful and deeply connected to the mountains.
This is a route with a classic feel. Not only because of the distance or the challenge, but because of everything it offers: a day of mountain passes, panoramic views and roads made for riding at a good rhythm. The kind of route that, once finished, is remembered more for the overall experience than for any single point along the way.
7.BENIDORM PLAZA – CONFRIDES – PUERTO DE TUDONS
Road route | Moderate | 89.47 km
The final proposal links two very recognisable names for anyone who enjoys riding through Alicante’s inland landscapes: Confrides and Tudons. Although it is classified as moderate, it is still a serious route of nearly 90 kilometres, designed for cyclists with a solid base who want to enjoy a mountain ride without necessarily pushing into the extreme territory of some of the longer options.
Its main attraction lies in its balance, making it a very complete route. On the one hand, it crosses the inland area of Marina Baixa and the surroundings of Confrides, a village clearly tied to the mountainous landscape. On the other, it incorporates the cycling appeal of Puerto de Tudons, which has a strong presence in the local road cycling culture.
At Climia Benidorm Plaza, the cycling experience begins long before the first pedal stroke: it starts with the comfort of stepping out of the hotel and having routes for every level within easy reach, from gentle road rides to MTB outings with the Mediterranean as a backdrop, or more demanding mountain days.
Added to that is the reassurance of staying in a genuinely cycling-friendly hotel, designed for those travelling with their bike and wanting to enjoy the destination without hassle. To make that possible, the hotel offers a free Bicycle Point for guests, equipped with secure bike storage, e-bike charging points, a tool bench, wash area, changing rooms with showers, a washing machine, tumble dryer and locker. Because when everything is in place for worry-free cycling, all that is left to do is focus on enjoying the ride.
