Ibiza – A cyclist’s paradise

Just minutes away from the crowds of revellers, Ibiza offers undiscovered tranquillity and a series of clearly marked cycle routes covering intertwined paths, hills, tracks and forests guiding cyclists effortlessly through beautiful countryside, rural villages and rugged coastline.

In the last few years, Ibiza has played host to some high profile mountain biking events and has developed a series of well sign-posted routes for those that want the freedom to explore independently beyond the typical tourist trails. Routes are well signposted and indicate the level of ability needed from easy (green) to difficult (black) meeting the demands and preferences of professional cyclists, amateurs, families or groups of friends looking to enrich their island visit. On route the information boards and cycle maps show the general layout of the Island and are an ideal meeting point for starting or finishing a ride.

There are now more than 20 well planned routes which pass by the hidden corners of the island taking in ancient wells, monuments, ruins, watch towers and windmills. The peace and quiet of the cycle paths and the island’s interior is true to most of the island even in the height of summer and give visitors a glimpse of island life which is a far cry from the side of Ibiza that in the last few years has attracted so much publicity.

Example Routes

Easy
Route one is an approximate 12km leisurely ride suitable for all levels of fitness. This coastal route takes cyclists from Sant Antoni Bay, along the South West coast and past some of the spectacular coves and beaches to popular Port des Torrent before arriving at the lesser known beaches of Comte. This hour long cycle route takes in the spectacular Cala Bassa beach that is well known for its transparent waters and surrounding Junipers and pines that offer shade during the hot summer months.

Moderate
For those of moderate fitness, route thirteen is a 17.2km circular route that takes cyclists from Santa Eulària past fig trees, orange blossom, rosemary and artichoke fields to the charming village of Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera located in the heart of the island.

Santa Gertrudis is home to one of the biggest churches on the island that dates back to 1797. The quaint but lively village is also a good stop off point for lunch with new deli SANO offering a range of freshly made juices and light salads, quiches or pastas.

Difficult
For those looking for a real challenge, the ‘Ibiza Extreme’ or route twelve is as the name indicates an extreme challenge that spans almost 60km and takes an estimated eight hours. This route takes in a series of steep climbs and drops of up to 400 metres and is suitable for seasoned cyclists in good physical condition.

This route will extensively cover the south of the island taking in villages, beaches and coves including Sant Josep, Sant Agusti, Sa Serra Grossa, Cala Jondal, Es Torrent and Sant Josep just to name a few. Some of the highlights include the ‘Torre Des Savinar’, a tower fort set on a cliff top some 200 metres high. This tower was completed in 1763 and is commonly referred to as the ‘Pirate’s Tower’ from a well-known novel by Spanish author Blasco Ibañez. The climb to the tower is worth the effort with spectacular views of the islands Es Vedrá and Es Vedranell and the surrounding sparkling waters.

Cycling in Ibiza can be enjoyed all year round, many choosing Spring and Autumn over the summer months when temperatures can soar to up to 40 degrees. In the last year, many professional cyclists have visited Ibiza for crowd-free endurance training and Ibiza is increasingly becoming a strong competitor on the world stage for cycling events, competitions and organised tours. From 10th to 12th October 2009, Ibiza plays host to the Campagnolo Ibiza Tour, a three day event covering a total distance of 275km (ibizabtt.com).

To meet the increasing cycling and mountain bike demand in Ibiza, there are a number of associations and companies based on the island offering cycling holidays, rental services and advice for those wanting a dedicated cycling holiday or a holiday that alternates sun and beach with exercise and countryside.

For cycling holidays and events, or further information on Ibiza visit ibiza.travel. To download bike routes, directions in PDF format and GPX format routes for the GPS device, visit ibiza.travel.