The Huerta de Valencia region extends north and south of Valencia, through the fertile Turia River plain, its flood zones and the wetlands bordering the sea. Citrus fruits, vegetables and rice grow abundantly here. The Romans grew crops here to support their military campaigns. However, it was the Muslims who really transformed the landscape, creating the canals, irrigation ditches and dams. These irrigation systems turned the desert into a garden.

Gardens and orchards were important for the Muslims who settled in these lands for more than eight centuries. This is how the Almoravid poet Ibn Jafaya described the landscape. He was one of the most influential figures in Arabic literature and also owned and cultivated land in his native Alzira.

‘Oh, inhabitants of Al-Andalus!
how happy you are to have water, shadows, rivers and trees!
There is no garden of paradise but in your dwellings.
If I had to choose, I would choose this one.
Do not think that tomorrow you will enter hell;
you do not enter hell after having lived in paradise!’

In this Collection, I invite you to ride more than 250 kilometres (155 mi) through the Valencian orchards, marshes, the Elche palm grove, the Júcar valleys, and the Albaida, Clariano and Vinalopó rivers. This journey takes you through a landscape that looks like a desert, yet is immensely fertile with plenty of water. The flow of this water has carved canyons and created pools and wetlands that are full of life.

You take the same route as the Cid, when he campaigned to increase his control of southern Valencia. Over five stages, you pedal along roads and trails between large expanses of fruit trees that lead to impressive medieval Arab fortresses such as Alzira, Sax, Bocairent, Ontinyent, Biar and Villena. In addition, you get to know impressive mountain ranges, such as L'Ombria or Callosa.

The Almoravids put a lot of pressure on Rodrigo at the end of the 11th century, so he was determined to control all the land south east of Valencia. The Almoravids wanted to conquer the taifas and take back Valencia. Controlling the south, meant Valencia was yours.

In this Collection, you’ll witness how humans changed the area to grow crops as well as natural landscapes like the Albufera and the Pou Clar. There’s lots of cultural heritage to discover too and Muslim fortresses dot the landscape.

The Albufera natural park is a large, shallow lagoon that’s separated from the Mediterranean by sand that acts as a dam. You’ll pass through immense rice fields and the habitat of many different species of waterfowl. Along the Clariano River, the Pou Clar, a series of crystal clear pools flanked by limestone walls, is an impressive place to visit.

The route takes you through the interior of Alicante, one of Spain’s most mountainous provinces. Many fortresses are perched atop steep cliffs in these mountains, near the towns that are today known as Sax, Bocairent or Biar, among others.

October to March is the best time to enjoy this adventure, as the winter is very mild here. Summer is hot, but you can rest at the rivers and pools during the hottest hours of the day. A refreshing swim is the perfect break from cycling. Don’t forget to pack sun cream and weather-appropriate clothing depending on the time of year you do the route.

The route traces asphalt roads between orchards and tracks through the mountains of Alicante. Thus, a gravel bike with good tyres is ideal. You’ll have some climbing to do, but you rarely exceed a 10% gradient. The route doesn’t require you to be really fit; it’s accessible for people who want to enjoy a gravel without too much effort.

You start in Valencia and end at the Orihuela train station. The whole area of the east coast is very well connected by train and bus. Each stage ends in towns with all the services you may need. I wish you fun as you conquer the fortresses and lands south of Valencia.