R10 - Alcossebre - Cicloturismo Castellón

Description of the route

For the departure from Alcossebre we propose a route through the Baix Maestrat and Plana Alta that, even without too much mileage, proposes a very attractive route for the scenic value as demanding in the layout, with more than 1200 meters of accumulated altitude difference. We start from Alcossebre towards the N340 in the direction of Torreblanca in 10 comfortable kilometers, until we turn towards Vilanova d’Alcolea: here we leave the hills south of the Sierra de Irta for the next 11 kilometers of ascent. Just at the exit of Torreblanca you will find several ramps of more than 10% that you will have to negotiate with all the development you have to avoid emptying before the following kilometers of climb that will take you to Vilanova d’Alcolea, with constant ramps of 5% with some false flats that will allow you to take a breath of air. Once in Vilanova, the most complicated part of the start is solved: now roll on the false flat of the CV10 between Vilanova d’Alcolea and Les Coves de Vinromà, from where you will have to face a couple of 2 and 3 kilometers steep slopes at 5%. Once you solve them, drop back down the descent towards Alcalà de Xivert and from there return to Alcossebre. Once back home, if you’ve been left wanting more, get lost in the steep slopes of the Urbanizaciones de la Serra d’Irta, with ramps above 10% for several kilometers that can give you a good leg ache.

Points of interest along the route

Torreblanca (Km 10). Coastal town with a medieval church (San Francisco Javier), an area of virgin wetlands (the Prat de Torreblanca) and several beaches. Vilanova d’Alcolea (Km 24). Municipality that houses in its municipal term the Provincial Airport, in addition to several natural sources. Coves de Vinromà (Km 35). Municipality of the Baix Maestrat with a multitude of farmhouses and hamlets in its municipal district that reminds one of a life in society of another era. Alcalà de Xivert (Km 50). Municipality that includes Alcossebre, as well as other population centers on the coast such as Cap i Corb. Serra d’Irta (start and finish). Mountain area right next to the sea, one of the most impressive enclaves of our province.

The largest number of blue flags in our province, fully embedded in the Serra d’Irta and with a castle at the top of the term that preserves Romanesque and Mozarabic architecture: Alcossebre, within the municipality of Alcala de Xivert, is one of the most charming, versatile and rich corners of our province. Spending a weekend of cycling tourism there will not only offer us the possibility of touring the Baix Maestrat and the Plana Alta, testing our legs; but it will also offer us the possibility of spending a weekend of natural tourism visiting its beaches and unspoiled coves, or climbing to some of the viewpoints of the Serra d’Irta that, with luck (on a clear day) will allow us to see the Columbretes Islands on the horizon.

The area of Alcossebre and Alcalà de Xivert is characterized by its attachment to the Mediterranean idiosyncrasy: seafood, grilled and grilled fish are the dishes that you should not miss if you choose to move to Alcossebre with your bike, as well as the different recipes for cooking rice: black rice, arroz a banda, “arrosejat”, fideuà. In addition, sea dates, mussels and clams from the ports of the Costa de Azahar are also frequent in the restaurants of the area. If you want to visit a restaurant specializing in rice dishes, be sure to go to Restaurante el Mirador (Playa Romana s/n). If you are looking for a more accessible offer, you can go to JJ Fontana CB (Paseo Marítimo, 7). If you want to taste a wide variety of select local wines, you can go to Ca Batiste Restaurant (Passeig Vista Alegre, 23).

To stay, we recommend that you opt for one of the accommodations on the beachfront, quite accessible if you choose to travel out of season. Las Terrazas Apartments (C/ San José, 95) is an unbeatable location; Servigroup Romana (Playa Romana s/n) has a more accessible offer; as a third option, Hotel Sancho III (Partida Ribamar 11A) is another of the best options in the area.

Xivert Castle: it maintains both its Christian and Arab parts. At the foot of the castle was comprised the Muslim population until 1609. Parish Church of San Juan Bautista: building of the Valencian Baroque period. Inside you can visit the parish museum. It has been declared a National Historic and Artistic Monument.

Apartamentos las Terrazas (C/ San José, 95): apartments of different sizes on the beachfront. Servigroup Romana (Playa Romana s/n): quiet area very close to the beach, ideal for traveling with children. Hotel Sancho III (Partida Ribamar 11A): very close to the Sierra de Irta and just 200 meters from the beach that can be seen from the hotel pool.