Cycling and living close to EuroVelo 8 - Mediterranean Route

EuroVelo routes make it possible to bicycle across Europe. Long-distance cycling trips are the thing of dreams—at least for me, and maybe for you too. Just imagine pedaling from Amsterdam to Marseille or Paris to Valencia!

For most people, these kinds of trips are enticing but remain elusive. There are too many other commitments and not enough time.

I first read about the EuroVelo initiative years ago. One day, a local newspaper article in El Diario de Cádiz announced that Cádiz would be the starting point of a bike route stretching all the way to Athens.

Since then, I, too, have dreamed of cycling… all the way to Athens.

I keep my dream alive by cycling as much as I can. EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranian Route now extends from Cádiz all the way to France and beyond. This route also provides access for riders who just want to cycle for a day. You can plan your trip to fit your schedule—whether you have three days, a week, or whatever time you can spare.

I use local trains and buses to extend my rides. From Cádiz, the route follows the coast to San Fernando, passing spectacular beaches that aren’t accessible by car—perfect on a warm day! In San Fernando, the route crosses the Río Sancti Petri on a long bridge built specifically for EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route. The next town is Chiclana, where the route passes through the town center.

One of the great things about the EuroVelo routes is that they are continuous, meaning you rarely have to get off your bike. The riding surface is excellent on this segment, and curb cuts and street crossings make for a relaxing and easy journey.

Through the center of town, the route follows the tram that connects Chiclana with Cádiz. Biking from Cádiz to Chiclana (18 km) and then taking the tram back to Cádiz is a great way to spend 3–4 hours (beach stop included).

Beyond Chiclana lies Conil, followed by the beach town of El Palmar, 45 km from Cádiz. Conil has a bus connection to Cádiz, making it easy to cycle there in about three hours, enjoy some beach time, grab lunch, and then return by bus. By the way, in Spain, buses require bicycles to be in bags. Did you know that large, thin plastic bags—normally used for moving mattresses—can be used for transporting your bike? The beauty of these bags is that they weigh almost nothing and can be folded into your bike bags until you need them again! We bought ours online (two for 10€) from a company whose name includes the letters amzn. They are probably available from a moving company near you.

One day, we put our bikes on a bus in Cádiz and headed to Facinas, a small town in the foothills of the Sierra, 90 km east of Cádiz along EuroVelo 8. We stashed our bike bags and stayed overnight in a rental apartment. The next day, we cycled 40 km back to El Palmar, where we spent two nights enjoying the beautiful beach. On the final day, we cycled 50 km back to Cádiz. It was an amazing experience—except for a one-kilometer slog through a muddy stretch south of Facinas.

Yes, the mud was awful. After we got home, I posted our route on Wikiloc and included a warning about it. That’s another thing EuroVelo is working on: providing up-to-date information about trail conditions. If you come across areas that need improvement or maintenance, you can contact them or the National EuroVelo Coordination Centres and let them know. It’s a way for riders to contribute to the development of this fantastic network of European cycle routes.

I hope this article inspires you to make the EuroVelo initiative part of your next cycling adventure!

Written by Steve Buchsbaum ([email protected]), all images courtesy of the author