Cycling the Paradors of Extremadura

You may encounter a few moderate slopes, however, the ascent is not too difficult or prolonged.

You will cycle principally on quiet country lanes, cycle lanes, and some busier roads when approaching towns. Please always be mindful of other road users.

The surface is mostly tarmac throughout this tour, though there may be very short sections where the condition is not as good, making it harder work.

This tour is graded moderate. Within the tour individual days may vary in difficulty, so some days might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

On this tour you'll stay overnight in 4-star parador hotels, 4-star hotels and country house hotels. Paradors are part of a network of restored castles, monasteries, convents, fortresses, manor houses and palaces found across Spain, each with real historical and cultural value.

Please note that the Parador de Oropesa, usually used on day 1, is currently closed for renovations following recent flooding in the area and won't reopen until December 2026. In its place, you'll stay at Casa Platón de Páramo, a beautifully restored hotel set in the heart of Oropesa's historic centre, offering a blend of elegance and heritage.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included every morning, and it's worth allowing plenty of time to enjoy it at a relaxed pace. Lunch and dinner aren't included, though most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch if you ask on arrival, and dinner is easy to find either at your hotel or at nearby bars, cafes and restaurants.

This tour runs from March to June and from September to November. July and August are the hottest months with little rainfall, so we don't operate the tour then as it's too hot for comfortable cycling. June and September, just either side of summer, are dry and sunny with some warmer days, while March, April, May, October and November are cooler with plenty of sunshine still. Whenever you travel, make sure to stay hydrated, carry plenty of water, wear skin-protecting clothing and use sunscreen.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Getting to the start

From Madrid Airport, the Exprés Aeropuerto bus runs directly to Madrid Atocha train station every 15 minutes (a taxi costs around €30 and takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic). From Atocha, there's a direct train to Oropesa (about 1 hour 40 minutes), with 5 services a day - check schedules and book tickets on the RENFE website, and we recommend buying your return ticket to Madrid at the same time. Once you have your ticket and an estimated arrival time, call your first accommodation and they'll arrange a taxi to meet you at the station, around 2km away - this costs under €10, payable in cash to the driver. A private transfer from Madrid or Madrid Airport to your first accommodation can also be arranged - contact us for prices.

Getting from the end

There are regular trains from Cáceres to Madrid Atocha (about 3 hours 30 minutes), bookable in advance via the RENFE website. Arrange a taxi to the station through your hotel reception in advance, as taxis are limited in the area and it's too far to walk with luggage - this costs under €10, payable in cash. A private transfer from Cáceres to Madrid or Madrid Airport is also available - contact us for prices.

You'll need your standard cycling gear. Bike hire comes with a pannier rack and bag, a pump, lock, a basic repair kit, and handlebar phone. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

Since you'll have your bike with you, shortening or skipping sections may not be easy. For the best local advice on transport options for cyclists, please consult your accommodation provider or reach out to our local bike partner, where applicable. In some cases, the luggage transfer service may be able to help get your bags to the next stop, though this isn't guaranteed, and our local office is also on hand to help you arrange onward transport if needed.

We hire bikes suited to the terrain, including e-bikes for a bit of extra assist, in a range of sizes - just let us know your height when booking so we can get your frame right. If you would like to bring your own bike then, in the majority of cases, this is not a problem, please contact us to talk it through. We encourage all cyclists to wear a helmet, and it is law in many countries across Europe. We recommend bringing your own helmet for hygiene and safety reasons, however on most tours you can hire one.

The following bikes are available for hire:

Hybrid bike: Wynora Domino 27 touring bike, with puncture-resistant hybrid tires, bike stand and mudguard.
E-bike: Kalkhoff Endeavour 1 B Move, 500Wh battery with a long range and short charge time, in high and low bar models from size XS to XL.

Tandem bikes aren't available on this tour, and brand and model may vary depending on availability. The minimum age for e-bike hire is 16.

Please let us know your height for bike sizing, and your head circumference if you'd like to hire a helmet.

Bike hire includes a spare inner tube, repair kit and pump, a helmet (though we recommend bringing your own), a pannier bag (except on gravel bikes), a water bottle holder, one map holder or phone mount per two bikes, and one lock per two bikes.

Many people choose an e-bike for the extra assistance on hillier days, though do note e-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles. Gravel and road bikes are only recommended for experienced cyclists comfortable with the riding position and the fitness this style of biking demands.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation