Overview
A seven day, self-guided adventure cycling in Extremadura, an autonomous community in western Spain, bordering Portugal. The Sierras de Extremadura are a collection of untouched mountain ranges and oak forests, traversed by ancient paths that link the hill towns of Montánchez, Guadalupe and Monesterio. This landscape is both biking and birding heaven, as so much of Extremadura has been left in exquisite condition. Staying in a mix of paradors and traditional guesthouses, this tour is also accessible by train, starting in Cáceres, one of many spots that featured in Game of Thrones in the region, and finishing in Talavera de la Reina.
- Cáceres
- Trujillo
- Sierra de Guadalupe
- Saint Mary of Guadalupe Monastery
- Talavera de la Reina
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cáceres
Arrive in Cáceres, a Renaissance walled town located at the top of a hill. Depending on arrival time, we recommend a walk to the main square, where you can take in the ancient walls, towers, Arco de la Estrella main gate, Cáceres Museum, Cáceres Cathedral and Carvajal Palace.
- Accommodation: Gran Hotel Don Manuel or similar in Cáceres
Day 2: Cáceres – Trujillo | 45km
The tour starts with a fairly easy, straightforward path along the old main road. It also leaves plenty of time for exploring today’s destination: Trujillo, a town that blossomed in the 16th century and boasts impressive architectural heritage. Take time to explore its defensive walls, ancient mansions, palaces and garden areas that lead up to Trujillo Castle. You have plenty of dinner options in the main square, Plaza Mayor.
- Accommodation: Parador de Trujillo or similar in Trujillo
- Cycling for the day: 45km, ↑500m
Day 3: Trujillo – Berzocana | 56km
From Trujillo, cycle through Llanos de Belén, an undulating steppe well known among bird watchers. Once you’ve passed the only village on today’s trail, Aldeacentenera, the path gets more hilly and you enter the dehesas (a landscape typical of south-eastern Spain used mainly for animal farming). Spend the night close to the village of Berzocana.
- Accommodation: Cielo Abierto or similar in Berzocana
- Cycling for the day: 56km, ↑820m
Day 4: Berzocana – Guadalupe | 32km
Ascend gradually on a scenic road, which then turns into a very steep path. Unless you’re on an e-bikes or a climbing hero, this is about 3km of pushing your bike along the mountain landscapes of the Sierras de las Villuercas and Ibores. There follows a long descent with wide views, which finally brings you to the village of Guadalupe, where you spend the night. In the afternoon, you have included a tasting of local products as well as plenty of time to visit Saint Mary of Guadalupe Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of pilgrimage for many Spaniards.
- Accommodation: Parador de Guadalupe or similar in Guadalupe
- Cycling for the day: 32km, ↑780m
Day 5: Guadalupe – Navatrasierra | 39km
Climb out of Guadalupe Valley and ride on an undulating road through a nature reserve with strawberry trees, cork oaks and red deer. The first inhabited place in this stage is also your destination: the quiet rural village of Navatrasierra.
- Accommodation: Casa Rural la Colmena del Geoparque or similar in Navatrasierra
- Cycling for the day: 39km, ↑790m
Day 6: Navatrasierra – Talavera de la Reina | 75km
This is the longest stage but also one of the flattest. Start with a gentle ascent to the last mountain pass of the tour and leave the Sierras de Extremadura behind. Enter lower, drier lands in the province of Toledo, cycling through a mix of dehesa, until you get to the Via Verde cycle path, on a former railway ,with views of the River Tagus. Arrive at Talavera de la Reina, known for its ceramics which you can learn all about at Ruiz de Luna Ceramic Museum. Celebrate the completion of this ride in one of its many bars, with moderate prices and courtesy tapas served with each drink.
- Accommodation: Hotel Be Live City Center Talavera or similar in Talavera de la Reina
- Cycling for the day: 75km, ↑600m
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of paradors, city hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Gran Hotel Don Manuel, Cáceres
- Parador de Trujillo, Trujillo
- Cielo Abierto, Berzocana
- Parador de Guadalupe, Guadalupe
- Casa Rural La Colmena del Geoparque, Navatrasierra
- Hotel Be Live City Center Talavera, Talavera
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. Lunch can either be bought in local shops or had in bars/restaurants underway. Dinner is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate and is suitable for more regular cyclists who have a good level of fitness, with longer cycling days and steeper ascents and descents. Itineraries may include longer stretches of uphill climbs and descents, or a number of shorter uphill and downhill sections along the route. Cycling distance is typically between 45 and 75km per day (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
The tour is available to start on Sundays from March to June and from September to November. We do not offer this trip in the summer months as it is too hot for cycling.
For more information, see our blog on the Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) or Sevilla Airport (SVQ)
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to Spain without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with railway stations in Cáceres and Talavera de la Reina. For more details, see the national rail operator Renfe or use the Omio planner above
From Madrid airport, take the metro to Madrid-Atocha railway station (40mins), then change to take the train to Cáceres (3h and 20mins). For timetables and further information visit Metro Madrid and Renfe or use the Omio planner above.
From Talavera de la Reina, there are regular trains back to Madrid.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 6 breakfasts
- Luggage transport
- Tasting of local produce in Guadalupe
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS tracks, checked and regularly updated route notes and maps
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and airport transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Additional transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Tourist taxes and entrance fees (payable locally)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights
- Bike and e-bike rental
- Helmet rental
Bike rental
Both hybrid and e-bikes are available to rent on this tour. All bikes come with a repair kit, pannier, small handlebar bag, pump and lock. Sample pictures attached below, note that the exact models may differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
Hybrid bikes (Stevens Jazz):
A hybrid trekking bike with both male and female models available. Both versions are equipped with, Shimano 3X8 gearing, 47mm tyres, Selle Royal saddle and suspension fork.
E-bikes (Stevens e-Bormio):
This bike is classed as a cross bike, fit for long stretches of unsurfaced tracks as well as asphalt roads. Equipped with a 504wH battery, Shimano motor, 47mm tyres and suspension fork.
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
