Torrevieja is a bustling holiday resort to the south of Alicante with beautiful beaches, parks, nature trails and stunning salt lakes, one of which is a lovely shade of pink while the other is blue-green.
One way to explore Torrevieja and its surroundings is by bike. You can enjoy a gentle ride up and down the coast to visit different beaches and neighbouring holiday towns or stretch yourself with a more strenuous and longer bike rides around lakes or into the mountains.
Many of these routes can be found on Google Maps so you can use your phone to plot your routes.
The tourist information office can tell you where to hire bikes, if you don’t have any with you.
You can book your Torrevieja holiday accommodation here.
Riding around Torrevieja
If you have young children you can just hire bikes to go along the coast in Torrevieja from La Cura beach in the north, along the pedestrianised promenade, up the Dique de Levante sea wall to the lighthouse and back to head down to the marina. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy an ice-cream or cold drink if they get tired.
Peaceful path to Torrevieja salt lakes
This is a pretty and peaceful ride from the centre of Torrevieja to its impressive lakes, where the salt is extracted for exporting around the world.
Torrevieja's Via Verde or green way is about seven kilometres long.
It is along the old railway line so it is away from the traffic which is ideal for families with children.
The path starts at the railway station park next to the salt museum in the Avenida de la Estacion, so you could always combine your bike ride in Torrevieja with a trip to the museum to find out more about the town's salt industry.
It is well sign-posted and it goes around the pink lake running parallel to the old railway line which connected Albatera and Torrevieja. The route finishes at the Los Montesinos crossroads.
The lakes are perfect for a picnic or a walk amid nature where you will see plenty of pink flamingos as well as other wading birds and ducks.
Heading for the mountain near Torrevieja
Torrevieja’s Via Verde can also be the starting point of a day out in the Sierra de Callosa de Segura mountain 28 kilometres from the beach resort.
Half way around the lagoon you will need to turn right at the roundabout taking you on to Calle Vicente Solano Ruiz and on to the CV905 road.
The ride then takes up on to the CV905a to Benijofar and on to the CV920, CV91 and CV911. It's fairly flat until you get close to the mountain which a more winding road going 132 metres up to the Sierra de Callosa de Segura.
The mountain peaks at 572 metres and is a limestone mountain with steep cliffs which makes an impressive backdrop for the Callosa de Segura town. It’s worth making a short detour to visit the town as it’s a traditional Spanish town with a pretty church, history museum and a museum dedicated to the production of hemp and agriculture, which the town relied on for its income.
Day out at La Pedrera lake
La Pedrera reservoir is about 30 kilometres from Torrevieja and is another lovely day out to enjoy nature.
The reservoir was built in the 1980s to provide water for the farms and local communities.
If you have time, you could also visit the little village of Torremendo, close to the lake's shores, to visit a traditional Spanish restaurant.
This route can also start at the Via Verde before getting on to the CV905 and then the CV945 to Montesinos. This links up to the CV95 and the CV950 to the lake.
To cycle all around the lake and back to Torrevieja is about 50kms taking just under three hours. There are a few hills rising to a peak of 167 metres so it is of moderate difficulty.
Saddle up for Santa Pola
Santa Pola is a charming beach resort to the north of Torrevieja, which is famous for its fresh fish – look out for fish and restaurants bearing the stamp Peix de Santa Pola which is a hallmark of its quality – sandy beaches and water sports.
You can ride straight up the N332 along the coast but this road does get very busy. It is best avoided during the rush hours so an early morning ride out to Santa Pola could be the best idea.
Another way to the resort is along the Via Verde again and on to the CV905.
At Benijofar get on the CV920 and then the CV860 through San Fulgencio to join the N332 at La Marina.
The ride then goes alongside the impressive salt lakes with mountains of white salt on the side of the road. It will take about two hours to get to Santa Pola.
Moving on down to Mar Menor
Further south are the salinas of San Pedro del Pinatar with 856 hectares of wetland with salt flats, dunes and beaches between the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor.
It's perfect for cycling around to discover this beautiful area along with its wildlife, especially birds.
You should see plenty of pink flamingos, gulls, herons and grebes. There are hides for birdwatchers and raised walkways to enjoy the natural environment.
There's a cycle lane running alongside the road as well as paths throughout the park. Whilst in the area you could visit the Banos de Lodo mud baths for an alfresco beauty treatment- for free. Just slap on the mud, let it dry and then wash it off for clearer skin.
To get to San Pedro, get on the N332 main road down to Punta Prima where you turn right to Los Dolses where you get on the Calle Papaya and Via de Servicio to Mil Palmeras and down to Pilar de la Horadada.
Here you get on the RM-F33 to San Pedro del Pinatar
Tips for cycling in Spain
In the height of summer, don’t attempt these longer rides in the scorching heat and make sure you take plenty of water, sunscreen and sunglasses even for a short ride.
If you are hiring a bike, make sure you can hire cycling helmets and also a chain with a lock for when you stop.
Some towns will have cycle paths which are safe ways to get about.
