Mountain Bike Tour Font de la Mata

Trade the beach crowds for dusty single-track. This five to six-hour mountain bike tour leaves from Xàbia and threads through orange and olive groves, vineyards, mountain villages, dry river beds, and rugged trails around Font de la Mata. I like the excellent Trek Remedy full-suspension bikes and the small maximum group of six, which lets guide Michael adjust the route and pace to suit the riders. The main drawback is that this is not a gentle sightseeing ride: you need a strong level of fitness, and the $122.70 price does not include lunch.

I also like the practical touches: a helmet, water bottle, energy bar, and photo service are included. The route can include steep climbs, technical descents, and roughly 45 kilometers of mixed road and off-road riding, depending on the group. If you are expecting a relaxed pedal beside the coast, this may feel like hard work. If you want real riding and local scenery, it offers much more than a standard bike rental.

Key Points to Know Before You Ride

• Start in Xàbia, not central Benidorm: The meeting point is Carrer Agret 25 in Xàbia, about 9:00 am.
• Ride a well-maintained Trek Remedy: A full-suspension bike is supplied, with setup adjusted to your height and riding needs.
• Expect real off-road riding: Single-track, punchy climbs, technical descents, dusty trails, and dry river beds may all feature.
• The group stays small: The maximum is six people, making it easier to adapt the pace and route.
• Font de la Mata has a quiet historical stop: You will see a nineteenth-century cistern and an Arab-built well once used for irrigation.
• Bring extra water for hot weather: A bottle and energy bar are supplied, but riders have specifically found additional water and snacks useful.

What This Ride Really Offers

This is a mountain bike outing first and a sightseeing trip second. You will see the Costa Blanca from behind handlebars, not through a coach window. The appeal lies in the changing surface beneath your tires: dusty paths, narrow single-track, paved connectors, dry river beds, and climbs that reward you with fast descents.

The route passes through the rural country around Xàbia, with orange, lemon, and olive trees, grape vines, mountain villages, and views from higher ground. Some sections may take you near the coast or beach, but the central focus is inland riding. You should come ready to pedal, shift gears, and handle uneven ground.

Guide Michael is a major part of the value. He sets up the bike, checks your fit, and adjusts the difficulty to the people in front of him. That matters because the ability range can be wide. A regular mountain biker may want technical trails and longer descents, while a road cyclist new to off-road riding may need a gradual introduction.

The small group cap of six is especially helpful here. It allows the ride to change pace without turning into a slow procession. A solo booking may even become a one-to-one outing, depending on the date and other bookings. The route is not simply a fixed track that every group follows at the same speed.

Starting at 9:00 am in Xàbia

The meeting point is Carrer Agret, 25, in Xàbia, Alicante. This detail deserves attention because the tour summary gives Benidorm as the general location, while the actual start and finish are in Xàbia. If you are staying in Benidorm, you should check the journey time carefully before booking. Do not assume you can walk over from a Benidorm hotel or reach the start with a quick local transfer.

The tour begins at 9:00 am and finishes back at the same meeting point. The return to the start is useful if you arrive by car or need to arrange your onward plans. Allow room in your schedule after the advertised five to six hours, since mountain biking can run slightly long when the group needs extra stops or mechanical adjustments.

At the start, Michael prepares the Trek Remedy bikes and adjusts them to each rider. This is more important than it sounds. Saddle height, suspension settings, and general fit can affect comfort and control, especially on long climbs and rough descents. If you have a preference for a firmer or softer ride, say so before setting off.

The included helmet is essential equipment. A water bottle and energy bar help you get moving without stopping at a shop first. The photo service is a nice extra, particularly if you do not want to carry a phone on technical sections.

Riding a Trek Remedy on Mixed Terrain

The supplied bike is a Trek Remedy full-suspension mountain bike. That choice suits the kind of riding described: steep climbs, uneven trails, swooping single-track, and technical downhill sections. Riders who brought cross-country bikes have found that a bike with more travel and electric assistance can make the climbs easier and the descents more enjoyable.

The route may be completed on a standard mountain bike, but your fitness matters. One outing covered about 45 kilometers across road and off-road surfaces, while other rides focused more heavily on single-track. The exact distance and difficulty depend on your group, the weather, and the route Michael selects.

An e-bike is available in the wider riding setup, even though the supplied tour details specify the Trek Remedy as the included bike. If your fitness is not strong, ask about the electric option before you reserve. An e-bike can reduce the strain of repeated climbs, but it does not remove the need to control the bike on descents or uneven ground.

You should also be comfortable with basic cycling skills. The tour is suitable for some beginners, particularly those who already ride on the road, but it is not designed as a first-ever cycling lesson. Riders describe a gradual introduction to off-road riding for less experienced participants, along with harder alternatives for stronger cyclists.

From Orange Groves to Technical Descents

The best part of the route is its variety. You may pedal through cultivated country filled with citrus trees, olive trees, vineyards, and grape vines, then move onto rougher tracks and mountain paths. These changes keep the ride interesting and show you a side of the Costa Blanca that is easy to miss from a resort road.

The hills are described as moderate rather than huge. That does not mean easy. The ride can feel like intervals: climb for a while, drop quickly, then use a longer connector before starting another ascent. This rhythm gives you regular rewards, but it also demands repeated effort.

Single-track riding brings the most fun for experienced mountain bikers. Narrow trails, swooping turns, and technical descents require attention. If you are new to this type of cycling, you may prefer to walk a difficult section. That is normal, and the route can be adjusted to your ability.

The scenery changes with the elevation. From higher sections, you may get broad views across the Costa Blanca. Lower sections bring cultivated fields, villages, and dry river beds. Some routes include a beach or coastal section, but the specific Font de la Mata outing should not be treated as a guaranteed beach ride. The exact route is flexible.

Font de la Mata and Its Water History

The named stop is the water supply point called La Mata. Here you spend about 15 minutes seeing a nineteenth-century cistern and a well built by the Arabs. These structures once supplied water for irrigating the surrounding fields.

It is a short stop, but it adds meaning to the ride. The cistern and well are not grand monuments. Their value is practical. They show how farming communities managed water before modern systems reached every field, and they connect the rural scenery to the area’s long agricultural past.

Do not expect a long guided historical visit or a museum-style presentation. The stop is brief and serves as a pause in the ride. For most people, the appeal is the contrast: one minute you are handling a rough trail, and the next you are looking at an old piece of irrigation infrastructure that helped support local agriculture.

The stop also gives your legs a rest. Fifteen minutes may be welcome after a climb, especially in warm weather. The admission charge is free, and it is part of the route rather than a separate attraction requiring additional tickets.

Coffee, Water, and Fuel on the Way

A local cafe stop may be included during the ride, depending on the route and timing. This is where you can refill water and take a short coffee break. Some riders have also treated the pause as a chance for a beer, but alcohol is not something you should plan around during a strenuous ride.

The supplied water bottle and energy bar cover the basics. They may not be enough for every rider, particularly on a hot day or if you choose the standard bike rather than an e-bike. Bring extra water and snacks if you know you eat frequently while cycling.

Sun protection is important. An April ride can be comfortable in a T-shirt without feeling too hot, but the Costa Blanca sun can still catch you on exposed paths. Sunscreen, suitable cycling clothing, and sunglasses are sensible choices. The supplied details do not list lunch, so plan to eat before the start and arrange a meal after you return.

Because the tour begins at 9:00 am, breakfast matters. A light meal with enough carbohydrates will serve you better than arriving hungry and hoping the energy bar does all the work.

How Much Value Do You Get for $122.70?

At $122.70 per person, this is more expensive than simply hiring a bike for half a day. You are paying for the bike, helmet, bottle, energy bar, guide service, route planning, bike setup, photos, and the chance to ride trails that would be difficult to find alone.

The value is strongest if you are new to the area. Michael knows the local routes and can connect trails through groves, villages, and mountain sections without leaving you to navigate every junction. You also avoid the problem of selecting a bike that is poorly suited to the terrain.

The price makes less sense if you already know the Xàbia trails, have your own suitable mountain bike, and prefer to ride alone. Even then, a private guide can save time and show you sections you might not locate independently.

Lunch is not included, and the price does not remove the need to bring extra water or snacks. Budget for those items separately. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who Will Enjoy This Best?

I would recommend this tour to a fit cyclist who wants active sightseeing. It suits experienced mountain bikers, road cyclists ready to try dirt trails, and visitors who prefer a physical day outdoors to a standard town tour.

It can also work for beginners with solid general fitness. One ride introduced road cyclists gradually to off-road riding, and another route was adjusted for a younger rider. Still, you should not book it if you dislike hills, rough surfaces, or sustained exercise.

The experience is especially good for a small group of friends or colleagues. The maximum of six keeps the outing personal, and the guide can respond to different abilities. Solo riders may also benefit from the flexible route, though you should confirm how the group will be arranged for your chosen date.

This is not the best choice for someone seeking a casual family bike ride. The physical requirement is clearly stated, and the technical sections may be too demanding for riders without off-road confidence.

My Booking Advice

Book this tour if you want to ride rather than simply look at scenery. The strongest reasons are the well-kept full-suspension Trek bike, the small group, and Michael’s ability to adjust the route to your pace. Font de la Mata adds a worthwhile historical pause, while the groves, villages, and single-track give you a close look at the countryside around Xàbia.

Before booking, confirm the meeting point and your transport from Benidorm or elsewhere. Ask about an e-bike if your fitness is uncertain, and bring extra water, snacks, sunscreen, and clothing suited to a long ride. If steep climbs and technical descents sound appealing, the $122.70 fee can be fair value. If you want an easy pedal with little exertion, choose another way to see the Costa Blanca.

FAQ

Where does the Mountain Bike Tour Font de la Mata start?

The tour starts at Carrer Agret, 25, 03738 Xàbia, Alicante, Spain.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Xàbia.

How long does the tour last?

The estimated duration is five to six hours.

What bike is included?

A Trek Remedy full-suspension mountain bike is included.

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. A helmet, water bottle, energy bar, and photo service are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of six participants.

What fitness level is needed?

You should have a strong level of physical fitness. The ride may include climbs, technical descents, and mixed road and off-road surfaces.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.