Calpe Cycling — Xaló Valley & Velosol Loop
About this Route
← Costa Blanca Cycling GuideThe social ride of the Costa Blanca — a 41-kilometre loop from Calpe through the beautiful Xaló valley to Velosol Cycling Bar, the legendary café-stop that every cyclist in the region passes through eventually. This is the route where you ride alongside cyclists from across Europe, share a cortado at a table covered in pro cycling memorabilia, and feel what it means to be at the heart of a true cycling mecca.
The Xaló valley is one of the finest cycling environments on the Costa Blanca — vineyard and almond-tree roads with exceptional tarmac quality, rolling terrain and virtually no traffic. In February, the almond blossom transforms the valley into something extraordinary. The roads are wide, smooth and fast — ideal for riding in a group and maintaining a good tempo. With 613 metres of climbing on rolling hills, this is an accessible route that rewards with big scenery and an unmissable café stop.
We rode this in late March 2026 — a shorter day after some big efforts earlier in the week.
Out of Calpe, the route climbs La Fustera almost immediately — a lovely, steady climb that eases you into the day and delivers views back over the coast before you drop into the interior. A proper warm-up.
The Xaló valley is everything the reputation suggests. Long, straight roads through vineyards and almond groves, rolling terrain that lets you settle into a rhythm and actually enjoy the surroundings. The valley has a calm, unhurried quality — quiet roads, good tarmac, the mountains framing the horizon on both sides. Easy kilometres in the best possible sense.
Velosol in Xaló is the destination, and it delivers. A proper cycling café — good coffee, good food, and a shop stocked with everything you could possibly need on a bike. The kind of place where you arrive intending to stay twenty minutes and end up sitting for an hour. Cycling memorabilia on every wall, cyclists from across Europe at every table. It earns its reputation.
The return to Calpe via Senija is quick and enjoyable — a short climb before the road drops back toward the coast and home.
Kilometre by Kilometre
Leave Calpe with a gentle climb out of town — La Fustera is the first real test, a well-known 4 km climb at 4.9% that warms the legs early. From the top the roads open up into the rolling countryside.
The heart of the route. Rolling roads through vineyards and almond trees with some of the finest cycling tarmac on the Costa Blanca. Velosol Cycling Bar in Xaló is the natural midpoint — stop for a cortado and take in the atmosphere.
The return follows a different set of valley roads back towards the coast. More rolling terrain through the Xaló and Seinja countryside before the familiar approach back into Calpe.
Gallery
On the Road
Calpe Cycling — Xaló Valley & Velosol Loop — Map & Elevation
Key Climbs
Tips & Local Knowledge
- Velosol Cycling Bar in Xaló is the highlight of the route — decorated with cycling jerseys and memorabilia, it is the natural meeting point for cyclists from across the world. Do not skip it.
- The roads around Xaló and Lliber are famous for their exceptional tarmac quality — smooth, fast and virtually traffic-free.
- In February, the almond blossom in the Xaló valley is spectacular — one of the most beautiful times to ride this route.
- The rolling terrain makes this a great group ride — wide, smooth roads ideal for riding in a bunch and holding tempo.
- Drivers on the Costa Blanca are very accustomed to cyclists and show excellent road respect — one of the safest cycling environments in Europe.
- This is a perfect warm-up or recovery ride — or extend the day by adding Coll de Rates or Cumbre del Sol.
Rider Reviews
Loading reviews…
Passionate road cyclist and founder of CyclingRoutes.cc. Always hunting for the perfect asphalt and the best coffee stops.
Know a better line?
Submit your local route and get featured with your own author profile, Strava, Instagram and Buy Me a Coffee link.
Share a Route → →
Route Details
For cyclists with some experience. Noticeable climbs requiring fitness.