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In a nutshell
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Start
Finish
Countries
Stages
Rest day(s)
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San Sebastián, Spain
Cádiz, Spain
Spain
17 stages
Segovia, Mérida
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Total distance
Average distance
Total climbing
Average climbing
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1.900 km
111 km
28.000 meters
1.650 meters
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1.188 miles
69 miles
92.000 feet
5.410 feet
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Road condition
Period
Accommodation
Price
Discount
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100% paved
Sunday April 27th, 2025
Thursday May 15th, 2025
20 hotel nights (17 nights in Paradores
+ 3 nights in other hotels )
€ 4.595,-
€ 200,- for early registration
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Description
The origin of the Paradors goes back to 1910, when the
Government of Spain decided to create a hotel structured
network, nonexistent at that time, in whose
establishments hikers and travellers were provided
lodging, while at the same time improving the
international image of Spain. In other words, the desire
was to build a series of hotels in places where private
initiative did not reach and that had all the attractive
conditions for tourism, such as buildings in places of
great beauty, or towns with varied cultural, artistic
and historical richness.
Some years had to pass before the birth of the first
establishments that would eventually form what is now
called the Parador Network. That was in 1926, when, King
Alfonso XIII made the effort to personally pick out the
best location of that first establishment. The place he
chose was Sierra de Gredos, between Madrid and Ávila, in
the middle of a place of singular beauty.
After the construction of that first Parador, a frantic
race of inaugurations began which, within a short amount
of time, quickly became a prestigious network. It's a
public enterprise that nearly a century later is
recognised, nationally and internationally, for its
exemplary importance and prestige.
From the beginning,
Paradors and excellent food have always gone hand in
hand. Paradors are notable buildings of great historical
and artistic value, where everything possible is done to
preserve the regional cuisine of the place where they
are located. Moreover, Paradors have been characterized
throughout their history as having culinary
professionals, who know how to combine tradition and the
avant-garde in their dishes.
In short, the Paradors aim to preserve the artistic
heritage of Spain by providing accommodation in places
somewhat lost in time. Nowadays, you can find Paradors
in what were once castles, palaces, fortresses,
convents, monasteries and other important historical
buildings located which bring history and essence of
Spain to life.
Nowadays 98 Paradors are scattered over whole Spain to
welcome travellers. We have linked a varied selection of
Paradors in one unique bicycle tour which we have called
Camino de Paradores.
This time it is not the heroic cols, the well-known
cities or the tourist spots that guided the creation of
this tour; it is the locations of the Paradors - our
daily destinations - that are the main guideline for
coming to this itinerary. Of course, we try to stick to
traffic calm and scenic roads as much as possible. And
as you may expect from us, we don't forget to include
some challenging climbs.
We start our tour at the Bay of Biscay near San
Sebastián. The medium-sized cosmopolitan city is framed
by golden beaches and lush hillsides. It's renowned for
its dining scene and Parisian-inspired architecture. We
don't see the beaches and sea for a long time, because
we turn soon south, to the undulating inlands of
País Vasco, the
Basque Country. A region with one of Europe's oldest and
strongest cultures.
We cycle through quiet rolling countryside of La Rioja
and Castile & León, before we arrive after almost a week
in Segovia for a rest day. This unique city, situated
against the backdrop of the Sierra de Guadarrama, is a
treasure trove of history, culture, and architectural
wonders. One of the most iconic sights in Segovia is the
Roman aqueduct, an engineering marvel that has stood the
test of time. Its impressive arches stretch across the
city, reminding visitors of its ancient past.
We continue our tour along the Paradors further south in
the region of Extremadura, it's also a journey into the
heart of old Spain. From the country's finest Roman
ruins to mysterious medieval cities and time-worn
villages. Extremeño hamlets have a timeless charm, from
the remote northern hills to sacred eastern Guadalupe
and seductive Zafra on the cusp of Andalucía in the
south.
We have planned a rest day in the capital of
Extremadura, Mérida. The city was once a Roman provincial
capital and is still home to the most impressive and
extensive Roman ruins in all Spain. The ruins lie
sprinkled around town, often appearing in the most
unlikely corners, and one can only wonder what still
lies buried beneath the lively, modern city.
The last five days we cycle through Andalusia with
thousands of olive trees and white hilltop villages,
before we end our journey along paradors in Cádiz. The
city is generally considered to be the oldest
continuously inhabited settlement in Europe. Now well
into its fourth millennium, the ancient centre,
surrounded almost entirely by water, is a romantic
jumble of sinuous streets where Atlantic waves crash
against eroded sea walls. A great place to finish.
The 1st edition of Camino de Paradores starts
Sunday April 27th,
2025 near San Sebastián. The finish lies
after 19 days, 1.900 kilometres in Cádiz at the Atlantic
Ocean.
You don't have to be a priest, a monk or a nun nowadays
to stay in a monastery. You also don't have to be a
king, a duke or a princess to sleep in a castle. Maybe
you are king of the mountains in your cycling group, but
also for the less talented riders there is a place in
Camino de Paradores.
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The credo of Bike Dreams is : "Life is not the
dreams you have, but the dreams you realize".
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