Traveling by bike is always a particularly pleasant mode of travel, especially if you are interested in seeing the local sites. Whether you are living in Spain or simply visiting, you owe it to yourself to grab your bike and hit the trails for an enjoyable sight-seeing experience. If you don't own a bike, you'll find plenty of biking tour companies that can accommodate you. Here are a few biking ideas to get you started in Spain:

The Greenways Program: Vias Verdes

Spain offers some particularly impressive walking and biking trails, thanks to the Vias Verdes. These beautiful and expansive paths through Spain are made up of over 930 miles of converted railways. Back in 1993, there was an effort to research unused railway lines, and the Vias Verdes Greenways program was instituted. These great paths wind through scenic valleys and hills, over quaint bridges, and along the canals. You'll find that there is plenty of information to be found about the various paths of the Vias Verdes. However, the two volumes of the Greenways Guides, known locally as Guias de Vias Verdes, are only available in Spanish. There have also been a number of former railway stations which have been transformed into hotels and restaurants, which are quite nice to find if you are taking an extended biking trip along the trails.

Favorite Biking Locations in Spain

Some of the favorite biking areas in Spain include the hilly areas. Mountain bikes are the vehicle of choice when traveling cross-country or cruising through the hilly natural terrain. The Andalucian region is a favorite area, and there are numerous tracks and trails throughout areas surrounding the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The roads leading to Galicia are another great opportunity for biking. When biking on these roads, you'll enjoy some spectacular scenery, including terraces, estuaries, and the many vineyards of the region. You can also bike past the Mino River, which is a beautifully scenic area. Biking in this area will also give you a chance to see some of the local sites and attractions at a slow and relaxing pace. It can be especially enjoyable if you plan your biking trip over the period of several days, so that you can stay overnight in some of the small towns to soak up the local flavor. This will also give you a chance to enjoy some of the local wines and culinary delights.

Choosing a Guided Cycling Tour

Although biking through Spain on your own is certainly an enjoyable way to travel and see the sights, there's also a lot to be said for taking a guided cycling tour. There are plenty to choose from in Spain, including tours of Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, and many other cities. Some of these tours are combined with local attractions, such as those offered in the Collserola Natural Park area. You'll find tours of many different lengths, including half-day tours as well as tours that span over several days. Taking a guided cycling tour is a great way to learn more about the area.

Article written by Alyssa Davis of Metal-Wall-Art.com - home of unique butterfly metal wall hangings and turtles metal wall art.