Through the last medieval border of Al-Andalus by bike

Ride through one of the last medieval borders between the Kingdom of Murcia and the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada

Code:

CT-02

Thematic:

Traditions and Culture

Location:

Eastern Andalusia and Region of Murcia

Type:

Selfguided

Modality:

Bicycle

Duration:

7 days

Difficulty:

Moderate

Price from

300€

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General Conditions of Sale

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Information and Prices

Overview:

The Kingdom of Murcia is retaken by the Castilian Kings in the 13th century. The Kingdom of Murcia becomes the border land against the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, where both sides try to weaken the enemy. Fortress and defence towers are raised in the landscape between Lorca and Comarca de los Vélez to mark the borderline between both kingdoms. In the middle of this lies a vast no-man’s land. This route tours the most significant places that will help you understand the development of the relations that both kingdoms maintained for 200 years. From Aledo to Vélez Blanco, passing by the Fortress of the Sun in Lorca, you will go over arid valleys, climb to impregnable fortresses and discover Muslim hamlets. A trip through time to discover the last medieval border in Spain.

Not to be missed:

The Fortress of the Sun in Lorca.
The beautiful valley of the Luchena River.
The ancestral irrigation system of Vega de Vélez Blanco.

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	To	Price (per person)	Booking
01/02/2018	15/11/2018	300€	Book now!

Prices in € per person (and children if applicable) based on 2 sharing with breakfast.

Options: single supplement: +131€/pers. // Half-board: +135€/pers.

Information about prices:

What's included:

Route notes and maps
Six nights’ accommodation inhotel 4* and rural inns with breakfast in shared double rooms.
Luggage transfer between your accommodations.
Compulsory insurance.

The price does not include:

Tickets price for visiting monuments and museums.
Personal insurance.
Round trip transportation to Lorca from Vélez Blanco.
Bicycle rental.
Meals and diners.

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

Bicycle rental: 92€
Electric bicycle rental: 140€

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 Lorca (see optional conditions for transfer). One night’s accommodation in Lorca.

Day 2

We will start our immersion into the monumental and historic complex of the city of Lorca during the second day. The tour through the historic city centre leading to the castle will take you to the Middle Ages. Visiting the Castle of Lorca will help you understand the local and regional context of the border between the Nasrid and Christian kingdoms. You can also ride a short round trip around the town, to find out the contryside. One night’s accommodation in a hotel in Lorca.

4h walking and 2h30 cycling. Level: Low. Lorca-Lorca

Day 3

Our first contact with the bicycle will take us from Lorca to the fortress and the town of Aledo. On our way, you will discover the wide and sunny plains of Lorca until we reach the charming town of Aledo. There, you will visit the Homage Tower, the Church of Santa María la Real and go through the narrow streets of this town following the medieval wall that used to protect the entire town. On our way back to Lorca, you will go into the lush hillsides of the mountains of La Tercia. One night’s accommodation in a hotel in Lorca.

52 km. 5 h cycling. Level: Moderate. Lorca-Aledo-Lorca

Day 4

Our second cycling day will take us from Lorca to Vélez Blanco. You will visit the Muslim archaeological site of Puentes (Castle, mosque and maqbara of Puentes). This route will take you through the course of the River Corneros to the ruins of the Castle of Xiquena, which is an important border enclave. There, you will have the chance to climb to the Castle of Tirieza, another border enclave from which you dominate the valley that used to separate both kingdoms. Finally, Vélez Blanco can be seen far in the distance. End of our journey. One night’s accommodation in a rural inn in Vélez Blanco.

48 km. 5 h cycling. Level: Moderate. Lorca-La Parroquia- Vélez Blanco.

Day 5

This route is a complete tour around the village of Vélez Blanco, following first the Mills route until the village of Vélez Rubio, and then climbing by large and quiet unpaved roads until the Sierra de Fuente Alegre. Up there, you will have a large and wide view of the Vega de Los Vélez, a rural and traditional countryside, realistic picture of this unknown Spain. You will finish your tour with a round until the Gabar tower, an old point of surveillance of the old medieval border with the Nasrid Kingdom of Grenade. One night’s accommodation in a rural inn in Vélez Blanco.

59 km. 6h cycling. Level: High. Vélez Blanco-Vélez Rubio-El Piar-Vélez Blanco.

Day 6

From the village of Vélez Blanco you will start following the Mills route until the medieval village of Vélez Rubio. Your next goal, the Sierra de Las Estancias, will be reached up by the dry river of El Ginte, an awesome scenery that offers you a very nice view of Eastern Andalusia final ascent to the Sierra de las Estancias is perfect to have a view of the Sanctuario de la Virgen del Saliente. From there, you will continue going back down until Vélez Rubio, by the little village of Chirivel. One night’s accommodation in Vélez Blanco.

65 km. 6h cycling. Level: High. Vélez Blanco-Vélez Rubio-Santuario de la Virgen del Saliente-Los Cerricos-Chirivel-Vélez Blanco.

Day 7

Departure to your hometown. See conditions for transfers and extra nights in Murcia or Grenade

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.
Lorca: Taller del Tiempo. (2006). Guerrero Ruiz, P. Edita: Universidad de Murcia. ISBN: 978-84-8371-573-4.
Lorca Taller del Tiempo. (2003). Jiménez Alcáraz, J.F. (coord.). Edita: LORCATUR. ISBN: 84-932975-3-4.
El paisaje en Murcia. Un mundo diverso. (1992). Moisés García, C; López Bermúdez, F. Edita: DARANA. ISBN: 84-604-4230-6.

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