Oropesa – Monfragüe National Park – Cáceres
Days
7
Ø km per day
55
Welcome to our bike tour in Extremadura. Located in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, the region in central Spain with its mountain ranges in the north and vast plains in the south is one of the least populated regions in the country. Far away from mass tourism, however, this does not detract from your cycling holiday experience. The bike tour in Extremadura starts in Oropesa. You cycle through landscapes characterized by holm and cork oaks, get to know the wild beauty of the Monfragüe National Park with its numerous birds of prey and enjoy sun-drenched wines and traditional specialties. Along the way, you will make stops in historic towns that are well worth seeing, such as Plasencia, Trujillo and Cáceres, which were already important to the Romans and the Moors. Numerous bridges, castles and palaces bear witness to this. The conquistadors, who left their home towns in the 16th century to conquer Central and South America, are part of Extremadura's history. On our bike tour in Extremadura, you will mainly stay overnight in paradores. Housed in restored and renovated palaces, castles and monasteries, the accommodation will impress you with its historical ambience.
Hola and welcome to your bike tour in Extremadura! Your starting point is Oropesa. The small town at the foot of the Sierra de Gredos has a beautiful medieval old town. A particular highlight of the town, however, is the castle built around 1400 with its dominant keep. It originally consisted of two castles – a partially preserved Arab fortress and a newer part from the 15th century.
The first stage of your bike tour in Extremadura takes you through typical Mediterranean forests along the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos. A detour to the Gualtamino Gorge is worthwhile along the way. The Cascada del Diablo, the Devil's Waterfall, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Spain. In your destination of Jarandilla de la Vera, the castle palace of the Counts of Oropesa, which can be seen from afar and is now used as a hotel, awaits you. Take a stroll through the stores and discover the smoked paprika powder Pimentón de la Vera. It is made using traditional methods and can only be produced in the region – an ideal souvenir.
Shortly after the start of today's stage, it is worth making a detour to the monastery of Yuste. It once served as a refuge for Charles V, the most powerful man in the world at the time. A relaxed ride takes you to your destination for the day, the charming medieval town of Plasencia. The Río Jerte forms a natural moat around the old town hill, which is surrounded by a wall. It was an important means of defense during the reconquest of Spain in the 12th century. Take a tour of the old town with its numerous palaces and churches, the most striking of which is the New Cathedral.
Your bike tour in Extremadura takes you south towards the Río Tajo. This will take you to the Monfragüe National Park. The park is one of the largest animal and bird reserves in western Spain and is known for the large birds of prey that breed there. Take a seat in one of the observation posts and watch the birds hunting and nesting. A special viewpoint is the Castillo de Monfragüe. It was built during the Arab conquest, is now a ruin and can be reached by bike – view included!
You continue south on your bike tour in Extremadura. You cycle through beautiful Mediterranean forests to Trujillo. The medieval town is known as the cradle of the conquistadors. One of these conquerors was Francisco Pizzaro. He conquered Peru and the Inca empire in the 16th century, which he brought down. An equestrian statue was erected in the Plaza Major for the city's most famous son. Above Trujillo is a Moorish fortress from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city's rooftops and towers.
To round off your bike tour in Extremadura, head to Cáceres, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Spain. You will be amazed by the particularly well-preserved old town district. Take a walk through the past of the town, whose settlement history began more than 2000 years ago. Numerous churches, palaces and cobbled streets characterize the oldest part of Cáceres. To round off your trip, enjoy a full-bodied red wine from the Ribera del Guadiana wine-growing region. Salud!
Minimum number of participants: 2 people
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Additional fee single room |
259 € |
24-gear rental bike |
99 € |
E-Bike / Pedelec |
189 € |
Days
7
Ø km per day
55