Cycling the Pilgrim’s Veracruz Rail Trail

From the millenary Orchards of Murcia to the Holy City of Caravaca de la Cruz, while crossing fields and vineyards.

Code:

VV-01

Thematic:

FamilyFood and WineNatureTraditions and Culture

Location:

Northwest county (Region of Murcia, Eastern Spain)

Type:

Selfguided

Modality:

Bicycle

Duration:

From 7 days

Difficulty:

Low

Price from

425€

Map of the bike route cycling the Pilgrim's Vera Cruz.

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Information and Prices

Overview:

The Northwest Rail Trail goes over the forest and rural territory of the Region of Murcia. From the orchard of Murcia to the holy city of Caravaca de la Cruz you will discover a changeable landscape, welcoming villages with a wealthy heritage and gastronomy and some wines that make the trip more pleasant. This route lasts 3, 7 or 8 days and passes by the greenway of the Noroeste as well as by local and rural roads, while passing by towns such as: Mula, Pliego, Bullas, Cehegín and Caravaca de la Cruz.

Highligths:

The orchards and the countryside of Murcia
The medieva quarter of the village of Mula
The peacefull ride on the Northwest greenway
The mediterranean vineyards of Bullas
The awesome Vera Cruz Sanctuary in Caravaca
The natural, historical and cultural richness of the Caravaca's countryside

Prices and Departures:

This is a self-guided route. Therefore, you may start the route whenever you please. No hurries, no schedules, we only need to know the date. A route in complete freedom.

From	Price 2024 (per person)	Book
7 days	From 425€	Book now!

Prices based on 2 sharing a double room with breakfast. 2 people minimum.

Optional: single supplement from: +214€/pers. (7 days) // Solo departure supplement: +62€/pers. (7 days) // Half-board from: consult

Price information:
The price includes:

Documentation and maps of the trip
Accommodation for seven or eight nights at inns and hotels with breakfast
Luggage transfer between your accommodations

The price does not include:

Tickets price for visiting monuments and museums
Personal insurances
Round trip transportation from Murcia to Caravaca.
Bicycle rental
Bicycle collect in Caravaca
Lunches and dinners

Bicycle rental rate: the bicycles are fully equipped (luggage carrier, 1 saddle bag, 1 lock, 1 helmet, 1 repair kit with a pump and 1 map holder).

Bicycle rental: 5 days: 110€
Electric bicycle rental: 5 days: 150€

How to get there?

Which airport should I fly to? : Alicante, Murcia-San Javier.
Nearest train station: Murcia del Carmen.
Transfer options from airport: Consult.
Transfer options from train stations: Consult.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival in Murcia. One night accommodation in 4* hotel.

Day 2:

The first ride will allow you to reach Mula by the greenway. First through the orchards around Murcia and along the Segura river. After passed by some interesting heritage sites you will reach the greenway in direction to Mula. The sceneries change : from the green orchards you will pass to the dry and desertic badlands between Molina de Segura and Albudeite. Arriving at Mula, the scenery change again with the vision of oranges, peaches and apricot trees. One night accommodation in a rural inn.

54 km. 5h on bike. Difficulty: Medium. Murcia-Molina de Segura-Albudeite-Mula.

Day 3:

Our second day by bike will be in the Orchard of Mula to the town in Pliego. Going through Calle del Agua (Water’s street) and going up the castle will be the high points during this stage among bitter oranges, flowering almond trees and millenary irrigations ditches. One night accommodation in a rural inn.

31 km. 3h30 on bike. Difficulty: Medium. Mula-Pliego-Mula

Day 4:

During this stage, you keep following the Pilgrim's Greenway, La Vía Verde del Noroeste, from Mula to Caravaca, making a stop in Cehegín to visit its old quarter. To way out from Bullas, you have to follow the same indications than last stage to reach the Vía Verde del Noroeste. Once on the old railway, you will ride straight on the Vía Verde until Cehegín. In Cehegín, you will make a detour to climb to the old quarter and discover the village (Stop at the Tourism Office for a map). Before continue towards Caravaca, you will ride through the Argos river meadow, surrounded by carnations and olive fields. After returning to the Vía Verde del Noroeste, you will finally reach the city of Caravaca de la Cruz, end of your stage. Night at a 4* Hotel.

45km. 5h on bike. Difficulty: Low. Mula-Bullas-Cehegín-Caravaca de la Cruz. Optional loop Argos river valley : +16 km.

Day 5:

The sixth day from Caravaca to Moratalla will lead you through typicall mediterranean sceneries: Following the Ruta Verde route, you will cross a wide area of olive trees and almond rees to reach the medieval village of Moratalla. After visiting its old quarter (Castle, churches) you will return to Caravaca by quiet local roads.

48 km. 5h on bike. Difficulty: Medium. Caravaca- Moratalla-Caravaca.

Day 6:

During this stage, you will discover the natural and cultural richness of the surroudings of Caravaca. Between irrigation ditches and elm groves, the route will take you from fountain to fountain, passing by Roman and Christian sanctuaries and unique places where Paleolithic, Argáric, Iberian, Roman and Medieval settlement traces coexist. Going out of the city of Caravaca by local roads, you will reach the Itinerario Ecoturístico Archivel-La Encarnación, a marked way that will guide you through rural villages and fields. From La Encarnación, you will go back to Caravaca following a GR red/white marked way. One nightt accommodation in a rural inn.

49 km. 5h by bike. Difficulty: Medium. Caravaca de la Cruz-Archivel-La Encarnación-Caravaca de la Cruz

Day 7:

Departure to your hometown.

Add one day more with a round ride in Murcia:

Round tour through the orchards of Murcia, following centenary ditches, discovering old mills and nice heritage. The first part of the tour is perfect for discovering the baroque old quarter of Murcia, witness of the richness of this mediterranean city. After riding through the orchards, you will reach the iconic sanctuary of the Virgin of La Fuensanta, one of the best viewpoint over the valley. Murcia-Murcia. 35km.

Material / Guides

Luggage:

We strongly recommend that you divide your luggage between a rucksack and a non-rigid travel bag.

The rucksack, together with the bicycle saddle bag, will be very useful in cycling and walking days. We recommend that you keep your fragile stuff (cameras, binoculars and personal belongings) in the rucksack, whereas everything else can be kept in the saddle bag (picnic food, water, change of clothes, etc.). It must be medium-sized (around 20 litres) to make cycling movement easier.

The non-rigid travel bag will contain the rest of your personal belongings (clothes, toiletries, etc.). Every time the accommodation is changed, we will bring it to your new accommodation at the end of the day. Before leaving, you will be given a set of tags to identify your luggage with your full name, address, and identification data of the route you are doing.

If you travel by plane, we recommend you to consult the conditions regarding luggage with your air company: authorised products, size, weight, etc. In addition, you should be careful that your personal belongings or gifts you may have bought during your stay do not exceed the maximum authorised weight.

Recommended clothes:

1 hat or cap.
1 kerchief.
T-shirts (1 for each cycling or walking day). No cotton garments, as they take a long time to dry; short-sleeved T-shirts made of breathable synthetic fabric are preferable.
1 long-sleeved T-shirt (follow the previous recommendation) or 1 long-sleeved shirt.
1 Gore-tex jacket or similar (simple and light).
A pair of padded cycling shorts for better cycling comfort.
A pair of long trousers for the evening.
Underwear (preferably seamless). It is recommended to wear the cycling shorts without underwear to avoid skin abrasion.
Socks (a pair for each or two cycling days). Breathable fabric is recommended.
1 swimsuit.

Footwear:

A pair of comfortable multi-activity boots with regular sole to pedal and walk (avoid high boots).
A pair of sneakers or sandals for the evening.
This list is to be reviewed depending on the season.
Gear:
A pair of good quality sunglasses.
1 front light (optional).
1 utility knife (do not carry it in your flight hand luggage.
1 waterproof purse.
1 bathroom kit.
1 set of towels (we recommend fast drying towels).
Toilet paper.
Sunscreen and lip balm.
Ear plugs (optional).

If you bring your own bicycle:

1 helmet (not compulsory, but strongly recommended).
A pair of long cycling gloves.
1 map holder (optional)
1 water container or water rucksack (1.5l minimum)
1 repair kit.
1 lock.
Saddle bags.
Bicycle insurance.

Picnic stuff:

1 Tupperware or similar hermetically sealed plastic container.
Plastic glasses.
Cutlery.

Personal first-aid kit:

Your habitual medicines.
C Vitamin or multivitamins.
Painkillers: preferably paracetamol.
Elastic adhesive bandage.
Plasters and sterile gauze pads.
Anti-mosquito products.
Hand sanitizer.

Material provided:

If you rent our bikes (supplement):

1 conventional or electric hybrid bicycle (see conditions), equipped with front suspension, rear handle bags, helmet, reflective jacket, repair kit, lock.

Material not provided:

Water container(s).

Required documents for renting a bicycle:

Deposit (credit card or cash): 250€. The deposit is refunded after giving the bicycle back.
Theft exemption: 500€ (see specific conditions).

Bibliography:

Atlas histórico ilustrado de la Región de Murcia y su antiguo Reino. (2006). Rodríguez Lopís (dir), Martínez Carrión JM. (coord.). Edita: Fundación Séneca. ISBN: 84-935446-0-4.

Photos / Videos

Image Gallery:

Reviews

Ine van Oosterbosch

05/16/2016

The routes are characterized as relatively flat; there is no need to be long and steep mountain climb, but the terrain is hilly indeed, with very regular (short). People who bike at home on an e-bike, We recommend that, if they choose this trip, rent an E-bike, otherwise they will find hard routes. We had an excellent bike with gears for excellent uphill. The routes are similar in distance just right and very varied; every time you cycle through another beautiful scenery, especially the combination of interior and coast is a good choice. The routes to the coast (Mar Menor and Mediterranean) were very special, especially with the boat trip there. In Mula in hospederia we were received very hospitable and good food and drink provided. The room (apartment) was simple but neat and clean. This small hotel was very nice in the countryside with stunning views. The hotel in Bullas is a business hotel, but for one night it was fine. The people are friendly and we got to our request immediately a quiet room. In Caravaca we had another authentic hotel in the old town and here we were received very friendly and welcoming. What struck us was that really nobody speaks English in the interior, only Spanish. Fortunately, I speak enough Spanish to understand what they wanted or asked, but this is a problem for those who do not speak Spanish. Therefore you those who choose this trip must advise to take a dictionary in any case or even better learn some Spanish words. The organization of EntreTierras was excellent, and the local agent, Alex, deserves a big compliment. Everything was right and the trails were perfectly described. He cycled along one day and that was very enjoyable and instructive, as he told details of the landscape. We were lucky that the weather was fine all week 33 degrees and little wind, a little hot, but it was still good to do and the beer tasted after the better. Conclusion: We have had a fantastic week and enjoyed EVERYTHING and we would therefore appreciate this trip with a 9 !!

Valoración:

Noor Tebak

06/04/2017

Cycling the Via Verdes is a very nice way to view the environment as the tracks have been made on dikes. The tracks from Murcia to Caravaca are most of the times not in a good condition, a mountainbike is recommended. Especially for the naturaleza tour around Caravaca. The climbing parts of the tours are concentrated around the casco antiguos of the places.

Valoración:

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Cycling the Pilgrim’s Veracruz Rail Trail

From the millenary Orchards of Murcia to the Holy City of Caravaca de la Cruz, while crossing fields and vineyards.

Downloads:

Need more information?

Need more information?

En savoir plus?

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