Ruta De La Plata
This fully supported and guided 11 day road biking tour starts in Seville and follows the ancient Via de la Plata road all the way to Gijon.
From
€2390
Secure your holiday with a deposit.
Tour Highlights
Tour Information
On this cycling tour, we will discover the wonders of Merida, Seville & Leon to mention just a few. Combine that with the fantastic scenery and relatively traffic free route it makes for an unforgettable cycling holiday.
Seville is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and home to a World Heritage site. Merida is of great historical importance as too are Salamance, Leon & Gijon. If cycling and history are your thing, then this is an absolute must do tour.
During this guided cycling holiday, you will be supported by an accompanying vehicle and cycling guide. The tour leader cycles with the group, whilst our support vehicle is on hand should you require assistance. Our support vehicle will alway carry a spare bike (just in case), inner tubes, tyres and essentials.
Visits to many of the historic ruins, amphitheatres and museums are included in the cost.
Staying in mainly historic Parador (or similar) hotels and enjoying their superb accommodation, combine that with first class service and a dedicated team to ensure an unforgettable cycling holiday.
Holiday Dates
15th April 2023 - 25th April 2023
6th May - 16th May 2023
27th May - 6th June 2023
16th September - 26th September 2023
Tour Price
From
€2390
Secure your holiday with a deposit.
Optional Extras
Bike hire €290
Single room supplement €410
What's Included?
- 10 nights in quality accommodation
- Admission to selected historical sites
- Breakfast & lunches
- Tea, coffee and water and snacks whilst cycling
- Fully guided (with cycling guide) and supported
- Support vehicle with spares, tyres & tubes
- Detailed routes allow you to cycle at your own pace
- Airport/station transfers
- Daily luggage transfers
- Cycling shirt
- Suggested kit list
What's Not Included?
- Evening meals
- Cycle hire (available for a fee)
- Flights
- Insurance
History Of The Route
The Vía de la Plata is perhaps Spain’s oldest route, older even than the more famous Camino de Santiago.
During the reigns of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian, the Romans created this grand trade route in the west of the Spanish peninsula that linked the Cantabrian coast with the lands to the south of Hispania. Goods, troops, traders and travellers moved along this trail, spreading the Roman culture, its language and way of life. This trail continued to be used over the centuries, both by Arabs as well as Christians during the Middle Ages, and went on to play an important role on the Iberian Peninsula.
Today our modern road systems follow many of these century old routes. Much of the original route survives in one form or another.
We have adapted this route for the perfect cycling holiday. The route begins in Seville heading north. From there, you soon pass through the ruins of Italica, an old city from the Roman Baetica, the route takes us through Zafra and on to Mérida, It continues towards Cáceres and Plasencia. Through Béjar and Salamanca. Still heading north, we come to Zamora, through fields and alongside lakes until we get to Benavente. Onward to Astorga and León. Campomanes and Pola de Lena. We then climb the Cantabrian mountains, Asturias taking us towards Oviedo and Gijón the final point of our journey.
Tour Route Map
Tour Itinerary
Day 1, Seville
Arrival Day
We meet and greet you at Seville airport and transfer you to your hotel. Relax and unwind. Bikes should be readied, tyres checked and ready to roll, bike hire is available. A briefing dinner is scheduled for 7.30pm, so allow plenty of time on incoming flights. If you have the time we strongly recommend you stroll around this fabulous city, or take a guided tour.
Day 2, Seville to Monestario
Distance: 112km Elevation: 1684m
We set off from the impressive 'Plaza de Espana' working our way out of the city on cycle lanes. It doesn't take long to discover why this is such a historic route as 8km in to the journey we pass our first set of Roman ruins and amphitheater at Santiponce. Heading north we start to cycle towards the 'Sierra Norte', where the hills and fields are full of crops and oak trees that have Iberian pigs roaming freely feeding on the acorns.
Day 3, Monestario to Merida (via Zafra)
Distance: 106km Elevation: 658m
We have now left Andalucia and enter Extremadura, a beautiful region full of historic sites and stunning scenery. This day gives a chance to visit Zafra, a small charming town that is big on history, hospitality and food. From there we head for Merida. Entering the city over the Roman bridge you instantly feel the historic nature of the place. Founded in 25BC the town has some of the most important Roman remains in Europe. The archaeological site has World Heritage status by UNESCO. Complimentary tickets to visit the sites of Merida are included. The 'Alcazaba' and ampitheater are an absolute must.
Day 4, Merida to Caceres
Distance: 75km Elevation: 726m
A later start and shorter easier day allows you one last glimpse of Merida before heading off to Caceres. Passing through Aldea del Cano be sure to look out for the 14th century Castle of Mayornalgo. Any trip to Extremadura must include a stop in Cáceres. Also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its Moorish walls enclose and preserve the second biggest water cistern in the world, the remains of Roman settlements and a unique and perfectly preserved collection of Medieval and Renaissance buildings.
Day 5, Caceres to Hervas
Distance: 124km Elevation: 1286m
This stage takes us through the grazing pastures of the Extremadura cattle farms. Starting to climb you see the Alcantara Reservoir and summit the Los Castaños Pass before entering the ancient city of Plasencia over the River Jerte via the Trujillo Bridge. Placencia the capital of the Jerte Valley, a walled city since its foundation by Alfonso VIII of Castile, Plasencia city centre has been declared to be a Cultural Heritage Site. We start a gentle climb and stay in Hervas for the night, famous for having the narrowest street in Spain the 'Travesia de Moral'.
Day 6, Hervas to Salamanca
Distance: 103km Elevation: 1434m
Heading into the stunning Jerte Valley will take you to the spa town of Banos de Montemayor where we start the climb up to Bejar. Once through the Bejar valley we find fields and small villages as we make our way to Salamanca. Arriving on the outskirts of Salamanca we pick up the cycle path that leads to the heart of this stunning city. Salamanca, a university town claiming to have the oldest university in Spain. Salamanca boasts two magnificent cathedrals standing on a single site, an absolute must for any visitor wishing to explore the city’s rich heritage. The La Clerecía Towers, dating back to the 17th century are one of Salamanca’s best-known landmarks, along with the Plaza Mayor.
Day 7, Salamanca to Benavente (via Zamora)
Distance: 132km Elevation: 816m
When you cycle an ancient Roman route you should expect some long straight roads right? Today we give you Roman roads. With rolling hills and changing scenery the road may be long but certainly worth it. Especially when you arrive into Zamora, arriving over the stone bridge that crosses the River Duero the whole city is laid out in front of you. Dig into the heart of this city and there is plenty to see in Zamora. History has left an imprint on the city in the form of small Romanesque churches, 24 of them, along with stone walls, fortresses and castles. Venturing further north we arrive into Benavente our stop for the night.
Day 8, Benavente to Leon (via Astorga)
Distance: 118km Elevation: 656m
Today is a real gem Astorga and Leon ! Two fabulous cities that simply must be explored. The cycle route takes us through quiet countryside, with trees leaning towards the sun like sun flowers whilst swaying in the breeze. Firstly Astorga gives you the opportunity to cycle through the crossroads between the Camino de Santiago and the Via del Plata before heading east to Leon.
Day 9, Leon to Pola de la Lena
Distance: 90km Elevation: 1132
The penultimate day of cycling, We leave Leon behind and follow the river, the road starts to rise and we have a gentle but steady climb. We hit the summit at Arbas del Puerto and the scenery changes again as we enter Asturias. A lush green mountainous region of Spain that doesn't disappoint. We now have a well earned descent towards Campmanus and on to our destination for the night Pola de Lena. We recommend a visit to the 'Santa Christina de Lena' an 11th century church.
Day 10, Pola de la Lena to Gijon
Distance: 76km Elevation: 997m
A steady descent for a good few kilometres in the fabulous Asturias countryside is hard to beat. We eventually climb and end up in Oviedo, famous for its cider and unique way it gets poured. Leaving Oviedo behind us you climb for the last time, on reaching the peak you see Gijon in front of you. We head down to Gijón, making our way through the outlying areas until a bike lane takes us all the way to the Plaza Mayor (town square). Passing through the square and emerging onto the promenade at the shore line of the Bay of Biscay, where the statue of Octavius gives us an imperial salute that signals the end of our journey. We stay the night in Gijon, have a farewell meal and transfer you to the airport in the morning.
Day 11, Gijon, transfers to the airport
All good things must come to an end. We say our farewells and transfer you to the airport
