Hard
7
riders
Colonia de Santa Eulalia – El Plano loop from Castalla
03:45
53.6km
580m
Gravel riding
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 23, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
673 m
Church of the Assumption
Highlight • Religious Site
16th Century church in the picturesque old city centre of Castalla, on a nice little square, perfect for a short rest
Tip by
2
18.4 km
Sax Fortress
Highlight • Castle
The oldest part of the castle is the eastern tower, built of tapia masonry on the steep slope of the cliff. It dates from the Almohad period, i.e., the late 12th to early 13th century. The second tower of the complex probably dates from the first decades of the 14th century. Originally a Moorish foundation, after the Reconquista the castle was located in the border area between the Kingdom of Murcia, claimed by Castile, and the Kingdom of Valencia, conquered by Aragon. A chain of castles was built in this area, mainly along the Vinalopó River. Around 1240, the castle was wrested from the Muslims under Aragonese leadership and with the help of the Templars and the Order of St. John.
Located on the CidCT route: Camino del Cid Cyclotourista - Route of Castles in the Historically Contested Border Region between the Moors and the Kingdoms of Castile, Valencia, and Aragon.
Camino del Cid - Under the name "El Cid," Spain's knight Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar became a symbol of the Reconquista. The Castilian nobleman fought against Moorish rulers and Christian rivals in the 11th century. He never lost a single battle; the Moors respectfully called him Alsayyed (Lord of the Leaders), which later became "El Cid." The Spanish, however, always referred to him as "El Compeador" (The Warrior).
Located on the CidCT route: Camino del Cid Cyclotourista - Route of Castles in the Historically Contested Border Region between the Moors and the Kingdoms of Castile, Valencia, and Aragon.
Camino del Cid - Under the name "El Cid," Spain's knight Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar became a symbol of the Reconquista. The Castilian nobleman fought against Moorish rulers and Christian rivals in the 11th century. He never lost a single battle; the Moors respectfully called him Alsayyed (Lord of the Leaders), which later became "El Cid." The Spanish, however, always referred to him as "El Compeador" (The Warrior).
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
28.8 km
Colonia de Santa Eulalia
Highlight • Historical Site
The Colonia de Santa Eulalia is an extraordinary historic settlement between Sax and Villena in the province of Alicante. Founded at the end of the 19th century by the noblemen Antonio de Padua Saavedra y Rodríguez de la Guerra and Mariano de Bertodano Roncalli, it is considered one of the first experiments in an agricultural-industrial community in Spain. The colonia was conceived as a self-sufficient village that combined work, living, and leisure. In addition to agricultural land for vineyards, olives, and almonds, factories, workshops, a palace, a theater, a casino, a church, and even its own train station were built.
Architecturally, the complex combines influences from the industrial and modernist styles and follows a clear, planned urban layout with two central squares and a main road connecting the entire complex. However, over the course of the 20th century, the colonia lost its economic importance, many buildings fell into disrepair, and today the site is partially abandoned. Despite its deterioration, the Colonia de Santa Eulalia was recognized as a Cultural Property of Special Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 2016 and is thus protected. It is considered a fascinating example of an idealistic vision of social and economic community in 19th-century Spain.
An unreal place, time seems to have stood still a century ago. The buildings are half-ruined, yet very imposing. In addition to the workers' houses, a large flour and alcohol factory were built, as well as a theater, a manager's house, a casino, an inn, a train station, various wineries, warehouses, and oil mills. The buildings were organized around two squares, with the main square centered around the hermitage of Santa Eulalia. Some buildings and their functions are still recognizable.
Architecturally, the complex combines influences from the industrial and modernist styles and follows a clear, planned urban layout with two central squares and a main road connecting the entire complex. However, over the course of the 20th century, the colonia lost its economic importance, many buildings fell into disrepair, and today the site is partially abandoned. Despite its deterioration, the Colonia de Santa Eulalia was recognized as a Cultural Property of Special Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 2016 and is thus protected. It is considered a fascinating example of an idealistic vision of social and economic community in 19th-century Spain.
An unreal place, time seems to have stood still a century ago. The buildings are half-ruined, yet very imposing. In addition to the workers' houses, a large flour and alcohol factory were built, as well as a theater, a manager's house, a casino, an inn, a train station, various wineries, warehouses, and oil mills. The buildings were organized around two squares, with the main square centered around the hermitage of Santa Eulalia. Some buildings and their functions are still recognizable.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4
29.0 km
La Colonia de Santa Eulalia
Highlight • Settlement
The Colonia de Santa Eulalia is an extraordinary historic settlement between Sax and Villena in the province of Alicante. Founded at the end of the 19th century by the noblemen Antonio de Padua Saavedra y Rodríguez de la Guerra and Mariano de Bertodano Roncalli, it is considered one of the first experiments in an agricultural-industrial community in Spain. The colonia was conceived as a self-sufficient village that combined work, living, and leisure. In addition to agricultural land for vineyards, olives, and almonds, factories, workshops, a palace, a theater, a casino, a church, and even its own train station were built.
Architecturally, the complex combines influences from the industrial and modernist styles and follows a clear, planned urban layout with two central squares and a main road connecting the entire complex. However, over the course of the 20th century, the colonia lost its economic importance, many buildings fell into disrepair, and today the site is partially abandoned. Despite its deterioration, the Colonia de Santa Eulalia was recognized as a Cultural Property of Special Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 2016 and is thus protected. It is considered a fascinating example of an idealistic vision of social and economic community in 19th-century Spain.
An unreal place, time seems to have stood still a century ago. Half-ruined, yet very impressive buildings. Much to discover, arouses curiosity. In addition to the workers' houses, a large flour and alcohol factory were built, as well as a theater, a manager's house, a casino, an inn, a train station, various wineries, warehouses, and oil mills. The buildings were organized around two squares, with the main square centered around the hermitage of Santa Eulalia. Some buildings and their purposes can still be recognized.
Architecturally, the complex combines influences from the industrial and modernist styles and follows a clear, planned urban layout with two central squares and a main road connecting the entire complex. However, over the course of the 20th century, the colonia lost its economic importance, many buildings fell into disrepair, and today the site is partially abandoned. Despite its deterioration, the Colonia de Santa Eulalia was recognized as a Cultural Property of Special Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 2016 and is thus protected. It is considered a fascinating example of an idealistic vision of social and economic community in 19th-century Spain.
An unreal place, time seems to have stood still a century ago. Half-ruined, yet very impressive buildings. Much to discover, arouses curiosity. In addition to the workers' houses, a large flour and alcohol factory were built, as well as a theater, a manager's house, a casino, an inn, a train station, various wineries, warehouses, and oil mills. The buildings were organized around two squares, with the main square centered around the hermitage of Santa Eulalia. Some buildings and their purposes can still be recognized.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5
30.7 km
El Plano
Highlight • MTB Park
Recreational area in Sax, a very fun area for MTB.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
34.9 km
Castle of Sax
Highlight • Castle
The oldest part of the castle is the eastern tower, built of tapia masonry on the steep slope of the cliff. It dates from the Almohad period, i.e., the late 12th to early 13th century. The second tower of the complex probably dates from the first decades of the 14th century. Originally a Moorish foundation, after the Reconquista the castle was located in the border area between the Kingdom of Murcia, claimed by Castile, and the Kingdom of Valencia, conquered by Aragon. A chain of castles was built in this area, mainly along the Vinalopó River. Around 1240, the castle was wrested from the Muslims under Aragonese leadership and with the help of the Templars and the Order of St. John.
The castle in Sax is located on the CidCT route: Camino del Cid Cyclotourista route of castles in the historically contested border region between the Moors and the kingdoms of Castile, Valencia, and Aragon.
Under the name "El Cid," Spain's knight Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar became a symbolic figure of the Reconquista. The Castilian nobleman fought against Moorish rulers and Christian rivals in the 11th century. He never lost a single battle; the Moors respectfully called him Alsayyed (Lord of the Leaders), which later became "El Cid." The Spanish, however, always referred to him as "El Compeador" (The Warrior).
The castle in Sax is located on the CidCT route: Camino del Cid Cyclotourista route of castles in the historically contested border region between the Moors and the kingdoms of Castile, Valencia, and Aragon.
Under the name "El Cid," Spain's knight Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar became a symbolic figure of the Reconquista. The Castilian nobleman fought against Moorish rulers and Christian rivals in the 11th century. He never lost a single battle; the Moors respectfully called him Alsayyed (Lord of the Leaders), which later became "El Cid." The Spanish, however, always referred to him as "El Compeador" (The Warrior).
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
53.6 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
24.8 km
23.2 km
2.73 km
1.83 km
1.06 km
Surfaces
26.4 km
23.3 km
3.62 km
349 m
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Elevation
Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.
Highest point (740 m)
Lowest point (470 m)
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Weather
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Wednesday 8 July
37°C
22°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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