About this trip.
From Alicante to the Atlantic
Nine hundred and eleven miles separate the Mediterranean at Alicante from the Atlantic at Lisbon, with around 59,600 feet of climbing in between. Pedal Nation's Iberia Coast to Coast covers it over 19 days in early spring 2027, threading through Granada, Seville and Évora before rolling into the Portuguese capital. The first half is hilly but the daily distances are kept short; the second half gets longer in the saddle but with less climbing per day, which makes the overall ride a sensible ambition for cyclists who want a proper challenge without the brutal mileage of a Pyrenean traverse.
The shape of the ride
You leave Alicante along the coast before turning inland towards the Sierra de Cazorla natural park, then drop south through Guadix — a town known for its cave dwellings cut into the soft tufa hillsides — and into Granada for an evening beneath the Alhambra. From there the route curves north of the Sierra de Tejeda and climbs to Cómpeta, one of a string of whitewashed mountain villages, before the long descent to Málaga and a rest day. This first section is the hilliest, with short stages so the climbing has time to settle in the legs.
White villages, plains and a border crossing
West of Málaga the road threads through limestone country to Ronda, Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra — three of Andalucía's better-known white towns, and a sequence that makes for some of the finest cycling on the trip. Beyond Grazalema the land flattens out across the Guadalquivir plain into Seville, then climbs gently through the wooded Sierra Morena into Extremadura, a quiet and often-overlooked region of cork oaks and slow-cured ham. A night in Badajoz puts you on the Portuguese border. Évora, a UNESCO-listed city of Roman walls and a chapel of bones, is the last major stop before the final push via Setúbal into Lisbon. On arrival you can either spend the afternoon wandering the capital or add an optional loop around the Sintra and Cascais peninsula — handy if you want one last proper ride before the flight home.
Bookings and logistics
The 2027 departure runs 25 March to 12 April and is led by Lucy Burnett. The price is £2,995 per person twin-sharing, with a single supplement of £795. Accommodation is bed and breakfast in comfortable hotels and B&Bs with ensuite rooms; picnic lunches are provided on cycling days, and evening meals are taken communally at your own cost. The support van carries emergency gels and bars, though you should bring whatever sports nutrition you actually train on.
Pedal Nation is based in Sheffield and will transport your bike to Alicante and back at no extra charge — drop it at the office up to three days before departure, or arrange a pickup on their drive down to Portsmouth if that suits better. Both Alicante and Lisbon are well served by direct flights from across the UK, so getting to the start and home from the finish is straightforward.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for cycling holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every riding day
- ✓Bike rental (usually a hybrid), helmet, and panniers
- ✓Detailed route notes with GPX files and emergency contacts
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance with cycle cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches and most evening meals — eat locally on the route
- ×E-bike or road-bike upgrades (usually a supplement)
- ×Repair kit consumables (tubes, chain lube) beyond what comes with the bike
- ×Any alcohol beyond wine included with set dinners
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard are the climbs?
Grading reflects daily distance, total climbing, and traffic. Moderate routes typically involve 40-60km a day with 300-600m of climbing, on quiet roads or well-surfaced bike paths. If you ride regularly at home and can manage a 40km weekend ride, you'll be fine. Check the daily elevation profile when the operator shares it.
Q2Is bike rental included?
It's usually included, with a hybrid as standard and an e-bike or road-bike upgrade available for a supplement. Helmets and panniers normally come with the rental. Check the operator's booking page for the exact inclusions on this trip.
Q3What if I get a puncture?
Rental bikes come with a small repair kit and a pump. If you can't fix it yourself, the operator's support line can arrange a replacement or a lift to the next hotel — times vary by location. Carry a phone and the support number at all times.
Q4Can I use my own bike?
Yes, most operators are happy for you to bring your own bike — you'll often get a small discount off the trip price in lieu of rental. Check with the airline on how to transport it, and bring basic spares (tubes, multi-tool).
Q5Can I do this solo?
Absolutely — self-guided cycling holidays work well for solo travellers. The route notes, GPX files, and 24/7 support are designed for confident independent riders.
Q6What if the weather is bad?
The route is rideable in rain if you're dressed for it, though some surfaces get slower. The operator's support line can reroute you onto a lower / flatter alternative or arrange a vehicle transfer for any stage if conditions are genuinely unsafe.
Q7How do I get there from the UK?
Fly into the nearest airport, then train or transfer to the start point. The operator will advise — some will book onward trains for a small fee. If you're bringing your own bike, check dimensions and dismantling requirements with the airline in advance.
Q8What about cancellation?
A deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance with cycle cover is strongly recommended.
Three cycling holidays, side-by-side.
Other cycling holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
