A great descent took us down into the Valle de Barxeta from where we headed to the beautiful old town of Xativa.  We enjoyed a super lunch together on the main paseo in the shade of the trees before heading out of town and joining the next trail.  Our return route took us into a wooded valley and provided some really interesting terrain, all of which was very well handled by both riders.

At the end of the valley we joined the road for the short ride back to the van. A great day out amongst beautiful scenery, great trails and wonderful company.

Written by David Warrington.
Mountain Bike Guide at MountainBikingValencia.com

Having taken the relevant information on sizing etc, we delivered the four bikes to Villa Florencia and after a brief safety demonstration the guests were trying out the bikes.  Mountain biking was new to two of the group but they soon felt comfortable with the bikes.  We also provided a self guided route pack.  Specifically designed for beginners, the selected route used quiet country lanes and level dirt tracks as a means of completing a circuit of Marxuquera, passing the ancient Monastery of St. Jeroni.

The family enjoyed a great day out, using the bikes once more in the early evening to further explore the lush citrus growing areas of Marxuquera.

Having enjoyed the day so much, they booked a day or guided mountain biking with us the following week.

Written by David Warrington.

Mountain Bike Guide & Instructor at MountainBikingValencia.com

Each member of the group hired a mountain bike from us, and after some last minute checks, we began the ride.  To make the day more interesting for the children, one was given the task of navigating on the outward journey whilst the other did the same for the return.  We also made various stops during which I provided further information on the wildlife and habitats of the Natural Park.

Both children did superbly well, not only with the biking (which was quite hard work at times owing to a strong wind) but in successfully navigating the route, and by pointing out the various species of herons and egrets that are ever present at Albufera.

After a coffee stop in an old Valencian farming and fishing village, we visited one of the original fishermen´s houses before setting off back. The wind was proving to be a little challenging but once we´d turned for home it was on our backs so added extra momentum as we coasted the final few kms.

It had been a pleasure to spend the day with such a nice family and two very polite and enthusiastic children.

Written by David Warrington.

Mountain Bike Guide & Instructor at Mountain Biking Valencia.

We began by a ride out of the village before starting the main climb of the day. Half an hour later we were up in the hills and enjoying the first long section of off-road riding. This trail took us up through a pass and then descended through a very pretty old Mediterranean pine forest.

By now the sun was up and the skies were clear blue. There then followed a section of fairly steady riding along trails through orange groves, before a short road section took us into the beautiful and historical town of Xativa. We enjoyed lunch in one of the old squares and explored the town a little before we got back onto the trail.

The ride from Xativa took us along a rocky trail high above the very pretty river Albaida. The combination of great trail, blue skies, bird song, flowing river and high limestone cliffs made for a stunning ride. Having made a few photo stops we eventually arrived at the side of a reservoir, the peaks of the Valencian Sierras providing a dramatic backdrop.

All that was left was a short road ride back to the village and our starting point where we loaded the bikes into the van then headed for home. A short while later we were enjoying a cold beer together and reflecting on a super day. We´d had a great ride and a lot of fun. It had indeed been a pleasure to provide the trip for such lovely people. Hopefully they´ll return for more mountain biking holidays in Valencia.

Written by David Warrington.

Mountain Bike Guide & Instructor.

Mark and Nicholas opted to rent a couple of Trek mountain bikes from us, and after a brief introduction and pre-ride checks, we hit the trail. Today´s route was very civilised as the first 1.5km were all down hill, providing a gentle warm up.   Having descended through some woods, we emerged onto a stony track that runs alongside a beautiful river.

This robin joined us for a break by the river.

The valley is quite deep, with limestone cliffs towering above on either side. Our first stop was beside the river where we enjoyed the peaceful sound of the water and the warming winter sun.

We then continued through the gorge on stony trails until the valley opened up and we passed between ancient olive groves. After a few more kms we arrived at an old Valencian farming village where we stopped in the square for a coffee.  In order to enjoy the valley and its scenery to the full, we then followed a surfaced lane that took us to the shore of a reservoir where we had lunch before rejoining the track back through the gorge.

Both Mark and Nicholas were clearly enjoying the trail and the stunning scenery. After a few photo-stops and another rest by the river it was time to tackle the final climb back up to the van.  A superb day out, 45km through beautiful Spanish countryside.

Written by David Warrington.
MTB Guide at Mountain Biking Valencia.

These days, more people are opting for a vacation that provides the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities rather than just a beach holiday or sight-seeing trip. However, it´s often the case that to indulge in a favourite hobby whilst away, one has to opt for a specifically organised activity holiday.  Here at Nature Trail Spain, we recognise that such a holiday may not suit all members of a family or party and therefore aim to provide our clients with absolute flexibility and superb value for money.

We offer anything from a full week of Guided Mountain Biking for groups of up to 8 people, inclusive of accommodation to a single day trip that can be booked for a couple or individual who happen to be holidaying in Spain and quite fancy a ride out as part of their other plans.  Our priority is providing the client with maximum flexibility, and as such we offer :
• Mountain Bike Trips with professionally qualified Guide.

• 2-Day Skills Courses for beginners – perfect for teenagers and adults alike.

• Mountain Bike Hire.

• Fully illustrated route packs for self-guided trips.

Increasingly, we´re finding that our clients are opting to combine a day or two Guided Mountain Biking with a city break to Valencia, a break in the beautifully Valencian hills or a beach holiday on the Spanish Mediterranean Coast.

Within easy reach of our home base of La Drova lies Spain´s third city, Valencia.  It´s a thriving city that manages to combine centuries of tradition and historical monuments, buildings and squares with stunning contemporary architecture, and a beautifully clean, golden beach.  Running right through the city from the historical quarter to the stunning City of Arts & Sciences is a unique green “arterial walkway” that follows the original line of the (now rerouted!) river Turia. This is now a green ribbon of beautiful parkland planted with a vast array of native plants and trees, play areas, sports grounds and leafy areas perfect for picnics.

Our local area of La Drova is situated in the mountains at a height of 1,200 feet above sea level. The surrounding mountain views are breathtaking and the peaceful location makes it ideal for nature lovers. For those who enjoy the beach life, Gandia´s Blue Flag Award winning beach is only 20 minutes drive away, as is the cosmopolitan town centre. Channel 4´s A Place In The Sun visited recently and were amazed to find such a well kept secret!

The mountain biking in this area is extremely diverse and provides something for riders of all abilities. Terrain ranges from high, rocky mountain tracks to riverside trails and lanes through rice fields, orange groves and rural villages.

So, if you´d like to enjoy some superb mountain biking within stunning scenery, without having to commit to a “biking only” holiday, feel free to contact us at naturetrailspain@gmail.com ,call us on 0034633117310 or visit www.mountainbikingvalencia.com

David Warrington
Mountain Bike Guide & Instructor

I´ve been working on this one for a while, essentially trying to join up various off-road sections to form a circular route that minimises the amount of on-road work and makes the most of the rural tracks and trails. After 3 or 4 outings, today´s objective was to ride and record the entire route.

The ride started in the historical village of Simat, a 15 drive from our home base of La Drova. For the first part of the ride I made use of the dirt tracks that serve the orange groves of the Alzira Valley. Above the greenery of the valley rose the peaks of the Sierra de les Agulles, my return route.

Having passed the ancient monastery of Aguas Vivas, I then followed the route of a disused railway line that took me to the agricultural town of Alzira, where I stopped to enjoy a coffee in the warming winter sun.

I then left the town on a semi-surfaced lane that gradually climbed up into the craggy valley of the Sierra de la Murta. Initially, the lane took me between orange groves, before climbing up into the remote mountain valley with spectacular limestone pinnacles and cliffs on either side.

After a lunch stop in the pine forest I began the hardest section of the route, essentially a sustained steep climb up a rocky track. Although not too technically demanding, the terrain was steep and rocky in places and demanded attention.

I eventually emerged into the high and remote valley of the Sierra de les Agulles and could see the track stretching out into the distance.

This valley is such a beautiful and wild place, and a pleasure to ride. Although the track had a few more steep climbs in store it provided some great riding in amongst fantastic mountain scenery.

I eventually reached the end of the valley and emerged high above the town of Simat, some 400 metres below me.  All that remained was a brief check of the brakes and a very steep descent down the hairpins of a semi-surfaced track.

The ride was 42km in length and for sure provided a tough day out, but the rewards for hard work were the views of some stunning mountain scenery.

Written by David Warrington.
Mountain Bike Guide & Instructor.

He was provided with a helmet and fully equipped Trek mountain bike.  Following some initial instruction on bike set-up, efficient braking, pedaling and gear changing we set off along a wide unsurfaced track.

Mark took to the bike quickly, and after a few minor adjustments to the seat height, soon began to feel comfortable and in control. We practiced riding over some rougher ground, and focused on technique for some gentle descents before we took to the rural lanes that lead us up and out of the valley.

We followed the lanes and generally made our way to the Barxeta Valley, a rural farming area specialising in oranges and olives.  We enjoyed quite a long descent down a rough track, at the bottom of which there was a short, shallow river crossing before we headed for the village of Barxeta where we sat in the square and enjoyed a coffee in the warming winter sun.

After our break and a brief check of the bikes, we set off again, climbing out of the village, and up through some of the higher olive groves.  The trails that we chose for the return leg were generally unsurfaced with some quite steep descents, and a few short sharp ascents, perfect for developing weight distribution and braking techniques.

We stopped for lunch in the quiet mountain village of Pla de Corrals, where we once again made the most of the beautiful weather.  After a relaxed hour or so, it was back onto the bikes.  We had to tackle the ascent back over the wooded pass to the La Drova valley.  Once back on high ground, we chose an alternative trail to take us back home, one that provided not only further practice of descending rough ground but also gave great views of the Mediterranean coast.

The day had provided Mark with a most enjoyable introduction to mountain biking. Our route was 30km with 811 metres of ascent – not bad for a first ride out!

Written by David Warrington – Mountain Bike Guide & Instructor.

Looking north towards Valencia from Monduver

Despite the sustained steep climb, the views were as ever a constant motivation.  Although there was a little haze, I stopped at the summit and enjoyed views up the coast to Valencia and inland towards Xativa and beyond.

La Drova from Monduver

The fun of the ride back down was added to by the sight of a pair of Ravens gliding down below me.  A very brief ride but an effective training session and as ever some wonderful views.

Looking back down the Monduver track