ETR // Stage 54 // Valencia - Murcia

39°27'25.0"N 0°21'20.5"W
39.456956, -0.355700
Valencia - Murcia
VR EXPO - 60 Stages
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Distance

Valencia - Murcia
Radius 100 km
364 km

Highlights

Montserrat d'Alcalà
Castell d'Alèdua
Castell d'Alfarb
Port de Tous National park
Parpalló-Borrell National park
La Catedral del Senderisme
Castellet de Carrícola
Castell de Benissili
Castell de la Costurera

Explore the Valencia inland region

Leaving Valencia, it's time to head out into the foothills and you could choose to visit yet another serrated mountain - Montserrat d'Alcalà in Ribera Alta. Since 1981, the town of Montserrat has held the 'International week of Chamber Music' with many renowned artists with extensive musical backgrounds performing at the festival.

From there, ride south to Castell d'Alèdua, Castell d'Alfarb, and some of the other castles, forts and fortresses in the region.

Ride through the many National parks

While you'er here, you could visit Port de Tous National park, the Parpalló-Borrell National park, or Àrea Recreativa Pla Dels Engolidors, located in the center of the Sierra de Quatretonda.

Some other locations in the region to visit include La Catedral del Senderisme, Barranco De L'encantada, Castellet de Carrícola, Castell de Benissili, Castell de la Costurera and Despoblat Morisc de l'Atzuvieta.

Visit the Mountain town of Guadalest

Follow the ETR along some jery nice riding roads to the monastery town of Guadalest. Take a break in Guadalest to enjoy its historical buildings and streets, as well as the breathtaking views from the monastery above. Surrounded by the Aitana, Serella & Xorta Mountains, Guadalest was a strategic military stronghold, with fortifications dating back to 715AD and the period of Moorish occupation of Spain. It has a long history, and saw a lot of action during the Moorish occupation. In 1644, a strong earthquake seriously damaged the fortress and the houses of the village, and during the War of the Spanish Succession, Guadalest suffered even more serious damage from a mine explosion.

Declared a 'Monument of Historical and Artistic Value’, the town of Guadalest has grown up around the fortress, where the population originally lived within the protection of the castle walls. The castle can only be entered through one small tunnel, cut through the rock at the San Jose gate. The area inside the walls includes the ancient city dungeon, the bell tower, the Castle of Saint Josep, the Orduña House, the parish church and the fortified Moorish building, ‘Alcozaiba’.

Just outside the San Jose gate are the houses that the Moors lived in. “El Arrabal" with its little streets and squares, is where the majority of the shops, craft shops, museums and restaurants are situated today. After visiting Guadalest, visit Museo Vehículos Históricos Valle de Guadalest for a trip back in time with every motorcycle imaginable.

Ride along some great winding roads to the hilltop town of Altea, to take a look around the old town and enjoy the beautiful views of Mediterranean Sea, from several viewpoints overlooking the coastline. From Altea, ride back along the Costa Blanca towards Murcia, passing Vilajoiosa and El Campello, arriving in Murcia for an evening of exploration or recovery, depending on your riding style!

Motorcycle roads of Xixona

Take the N-340 to Xixona, from where the typical local dish “Turrón” originates. Turrón, also known as torró, torrone, turrone, torrão, turon or nougat, is typically made of honey, sugar, and egg whites, with toasted almonds or other nuts, and usually shaped into either a rectangular tablet, or a round cake. You’ll have to try one while you’re there…

After stocking up on enough Turrón to last you through the following days, continue onwards to Puerto de la Carrasqueta, a true paradise for motorcyclists, due to the thousands of curves, and the exceptional condition of the asphalt. The ascent is long and mostly steady, with a few hairpin turns and straight sections, that seem to go on forever. It begins where the CV-780 joins the CV-800 main road, just north of Xixona.

Explore The Murcia Region

You can easily take many detours in this region, and they are all going to be something special, so get out there and explore! Head along National Road N-325, a great stretch of road with many curves and very good asphalt, known as “Crevillente Canyon” into Crevillente, at the foothills of the Serra de Crevillent. This is a very dry region, and the vegetation surrounding the town consists mainly of Carob trees, Almond trees, Olive trees and Esparto.

Historically, Crevillente dates back to Roman times, and in 1263, during the times of the Reconquista, James the 1st of Aragon captured the city from the Moors, after which, it became part of the kingdom of Valencia. Crevillente has a long and fascinating history, and was occupied even before the arrival of the Romans in Spain, some 2,000 years ago. Early settlements were established by the Iberians, and these were extended somewhat, when the Romans arrived, though the town did not really develop, until the Moorish occupation, when new agricultural methods enabled the area to be cultivated.

Murcia - a key hub on the ETR

Murcia is a key location and stopover point on the 12,638 km European Touring Route, which runs from Cádiz in Andalucia, to Nordkapp, at the top of Europe. Every year, ETR held events in different locations in Europe to promote the ETR Route, and the many great local experiences, music, culture, history, roads, routes, destinations, attractions, foods, and motorcycle culture and heritage of the different regions along the route. In 2016 we integrated Murcia into the cultural and historical pilgrimage route for motorcycle travellers and motor tourists.

Photos

Dave O'Byrne
European Touring Route AS

Partners

Highlights

Guadalest
Castle of Saint Josep
Museo Vehículos Históricos Valle de Guadalest
Xixona
Crevillente Canyon
Cathedral of Murcia
Three Cultures International Festival
Murcia Holy Week
Fiestas de Primavera
Bateria de Castillitos
Bay of Mazarrón
Cope Cape
Puntas de Calnegre

Murcia, Motorcycles, Music, Madness

What are you waiting for? This spectacular region will stimulate your senses with magnificent scenery, spectacular coastlines and castles, great mountain roads, warm weather, deep history, a strong and vibrant local culture, friendly people, and renowned local cuisine, great food and wines… what's not to like?

Murcia, as the capital of the comarca Huerta de Murcia is called "Europe's orchard" due to its long agricultural tradition and its fruit, vegetable, and flower production and exports. Visit the Cathedral of Murcia and a the surrounding baroque buildings, works of art by the famous Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo.

Killing racism and xenophobia

Murcia's Three Cultures International Festival happens each May and was first organised with the intent of overcoming racism and xenophobia in the culture. The festival seeks to foster understanding and reconciliation between the three cultures that have cohabited the peninsula for centuries, if not millennia: Christians, Jews and Muslims. Each year, the festival celebrates these three cultures through music, exhibitions, symposiums and conferences. Maybe you can be there for the Three Cultures International Festival, the Holy Week procession, or the Fiestas de Primavera (Spring Festival).

Many layers to uncover in Murcia

The region of Murcia has been inhabited for more than 2,000 years, yet the capital, Murcia, was not founded until 831, when the Emir of Cordoba, Abderraman II, commissioned a walled city on the banks of the Segura River and turned it into the Caliphate of Murcia. A city of Arab origin, Murcia rests within this fertile plain, surrounded by a chain of mountains, and dissected by the river Segura. The entire region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida has many great jewels and experiences, just waiting for you to discover.

The Guns Of Naverone at Bateria de Castillitos

Ride through the spectacular natural area of the Sierra de la Muela, and Roldan Tiñoso, which extends westwards from the city of Cartagena, to the Bay of Mazarrón. Then along the coast from Cartegena to visit the ‘Bateria de Castillitos’, an anti-aircraft fortification perched precariously on the edge of Cabo Tiñoso. The enormous guns featured in the 1961 film “The Guns of Navarone”, with gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn. The narrow winding roads to the Bateria de Castillitos are to be taken seriously, and you need to be aware of oncoming traffic on these narrow tracks. Take a moment to enjoy the beautiful scenery and stunning views from this remarkable location. Continue along the coast to Cope Cape and Puntas de Calnegre, a protected area of a great natural beauty.

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