Cycling Around Segovia: Easy Routes from the Old Town

Three low-effort rides that start within sight of the Aqueduct, with real road names, distances and the months that make them pleasant.

The Green Corridor to La Granja

The safest gentle introduction is the Vía Verde del Eresma, a converted railway path that leaves the city near the Puente de Valdevilla and climbs through pine woods towards El Espinar. The first 12 kilometres are almost flat, shaded and free of traffic, following the river past the village of Valsaín. Surface is compacted gravel, so a hybrid or rented city bike with slightly wider tyres is fine; a thin-tyre road bike is not. Allow two hours to ride out and back at a relaxed pace, more if you stop at the Valsaín information point.

Beyond Valsaín the gradient stiffens noticeably towards La Granja de San Ildefonso, adding about 200 metres of climbing over 8 kilometres. I would treat that upper section as optional and turn back at the Puerto de Navacerrada sign, where the path meets the road. Bikes can be hired in Segovia's centre near the Plaza Mayor for roughly 15 to 25 euros a day, and most shops include a helmet and lock. Best months are May, June and September; July and August afternoons are genuinely hot on the exposed stretches.

A Loop Through Zamarramala and the Convent

For something with a destination, head north-west across the Eresma on the Puente de San Lorenzo and follow the signposted track to Zamarramala, a village about 3 kilometres from the walls. The route is short but steady, gaining around 60 metres, and rewards you with a view back across the Alcázar and the cathedral towers that is better than anything from the Mirador de la Canaleja. The Church of Vera Cruz, a twelfth-century Romanesque building on the valley floor below, is a five-minute detour and well worth the extra stop.

Continue on the quiet road towards the Convento de Santa Cruz la Real and loop back through the San Lorenzo district, where the Romanesque church of San Lorenzo has a portico of carved capitals. Total distance is about 11 kilometres, mostly on minor roads and firm tracks, and it suits families with older children. Wednesday and Saturday mornings are quietest; Sunday brings walkers to the Zamarramala lanes. I would book this one over the Vía Verde if you have only a half-day and want photographs.

Riding Out to the Aqueduct and the Fuenfría Side

A flatter, town-based ride follows the carril bici along the Avenida del Acueducto and out past the Plaza de toros towards La Lastrilla, then climbs gently to the village of Bernuy de Porreros. It is 14 kilometres round trip on asphalt, with a couple of short rises but nothing that requires low gears. The lane is not segregated everywhere, so ride defensively on the Avenida de Vía Roma stretch where traffic moves quickly. Late afternoon in spring is the nicest time, with the aqueduct lit and the Sierra de Guadarrama visible behind it.

If you want a genuine climb, take the SG-724 towards the Fuenfría pass, but be honest about fitness: the road rises steadily for around 12 kilometres and is popular with local club riders, so you will be passed. Novice riders should instead park the bike at the Casa de la Moneda and walk the riverside path. Spring and early autumn give the best light and mild temperatures; winter can bring ice on shaded bends above 1,200 metres.

Practical Notes Before You Book

Segovia's old town sits on a ridge, and every route out involves either a descent or a climb back. The streets around the Plaza Mayor and Calle de la Infanta Isabel are cobbled, so walk the bike through the historic core rather than riding it. Rented bikes come with basic repair kits; the nearest proper workshop is on the Avenida de Fernández Ladreda. Carry water, as fountains thin out beyond Zamarramala, and note that many village bars close between 15:00 and 18:00.

For accommodation, I would choose a hotel inside the walls near the Plaza Mayor or along Calle de Juan Bravo, which puts you a short walk from the hire shops and the start of all three routes described here. Staying out by the train station adds a taxi or bus ride each morning. Booking ahead matters in the first week of September during the local fiestas, when rooms in the old town fill early. Check-in from mid-afternoon is typical.

Questions, answered

Do I need a road bike for these routes?

No. A hybrid or city bike with tyres around 35 millimetres suits the Vía Verde del Eresma and the Zamarramala loop well. Hire shops in central Segovia supply helmets and locks, and you should avoid thin racing tyres on the gravel sections.

When is the best time of year to cycle around Segovia?

May, June and September offer mild temperatures and clear light. July and August afternoons are hot on exposed paths, and winter can leave ice on higher roads towards the Fuenfría pass. Spring mornings are usually the quietest and most comfortable.

How far are the routes from the old town hotels?

All three start within two to three kilometres of the Plaza Mayor, roughly ten minutes of easy pedalling. Staying near Calle de Juan Bravo or the Aqueduct keeps you close to hire shops and lets you avoid the cobbled climb back with a bike.

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