Mountain Bike Tour Font de la Mata

Dust, climbs, and orange groves await. The Font de la Mata ride gives you a lively way to explore the Costa Blanca beyond the beach, with well-maintained Trek Remedy full-suspension bikes and a small group capped at six riders. Guide Michael adjusts the route and pace to suit your ability, so the day can range from a manageable introduction to proper single-track riding.

I like the mix of rough trails, olive and orange groves, vineyards, mountain villages, and dry river beds. I also like the practical extras: a helmet, water bottle, energy bar, and photo service are included. The main consideration is fitness. This is a five- to six-hour outing with climbs and technical descents, so it is not a casual cycle around town.

Key points to know before booking

• The ride starts in Xàbia, not central Benidorm: Meet at Carrer Agret 25 in Xàbia at 9:00 am.
• A full-suspension Trek Remedy is included: The bike suits rough tracks, single tracks, climbs, and downhill sections.
• Michael adjusts the ride to your ability: The route may include road connectors, off-road trails, steep climbs, and technical descents.
• The historic Font de la Mata stop is brief: You spend about 15 minutes at the old water supply point and irrigation works.
• You need solid fitness: The outing can last six hours and may cover around 45 kilometers on a mixed route.
• Lunch is not included: You receive water and an energy bar, but bring extra snacks if you need more fuel.

What kind of day is the Font de la Mata tour?

This is a proper half-day mountain bike outing, not a sightseeing tour with a bicycle attached. The route around Xàbia and the Costa Blanca countryside uses a mix of paved connectors and off-road tracks, with the exact balance shaped by your ability and the guide’s judgment.

You might ride through orange, lemon, and olive groves, pass vineyards and small mountain villages, and follow dry river beds. The riding described by past participants includes swooping single tracks, punchy climbs, and technical descents. That makes the route more interesting than a simple uphill grind, but it also means you should be comfortable controlling a bike on uneven ground.

The setting is one of the strongest parts of the experience. From the saddle, you see a quieter side of the Costa Blanca, far from hotel towers and busy promenades. The hills are not described as extremely high, but the ride can feel demanding because the route repeatedly moves up and down.

I would think of this as an active way to see the area rather than a fixed sightseeing itinerary. The historic water point at Font de la Mata is part of the route, but the real attraction is the combination of countryside, trails, and local riding knowledge.

Starting in Xàbia at 9:00 am

The meeting point is Carrer Agret 25, 03738 Xàbia, Alicante, Spain. The activity returns to this same point, which makes the morning easier to plan if you are staying nearby or arranging your own transport.

The advertised location is Benidorm, but the specific start point is in Xàbia. Check your transfer time carefully before booking. This is one of the most important practical details because arriving at the wrong Costa Blanca town would spoil an otherwise excellent morning.

The start time is 9:00 am. That early departure works well for an active ride, especially in warmer months, when sun and heat can make climbs harder. The exact total length is about five to six hours, so you should expect most of the morning and part of the early afternoon to be occupied.

The small group limit of six is useful. A guide can spend more time adjusting bikes, checking pace, and choosing suitable tracks when the group is not large. It also reduces the chance that the outing feels like a long line of cyclists waiting at every junction.

Meeting Michael and setting up the Trek Remedy

A well-fitted bike matters more than a glossy equipment list. Michael adjusts the Trek Remedy to your height and preferences before setting off, and the bikes are described as clean, well maintained, and properly tuned.

The Remedy is a full-suspension mountain bike, which is a sensible choice for the terrain described. Suspension helps on rocky tracks and uneven descents, while the bike’s design should feel more controlled than a basic hardtail on rough ground. You still need to ride actively. A good bike does not remove the need for balance, braking, and fitness.

Electric bikes are also mentioned in the experience feedback, with strong praise for their quality. However, the included equipment specifically lists a Trek Remedy full-suspension MTB, not an electric bike for every booking. If you want pedal assistance, ask the operator about availability before paying.

Your package includes a helmet and water bottle. You also receive an energy bar and photo service. These are helpful touches, but they do not replace your own water and food planning. The route can be long, and lunch is not included.

Riding the Costa Blanca trails

The riding sounds varied rather than repetitive. One section may take you through an orange grove, followed by a rough track, a short road connection, and then a fast descent. That rhythm gives the outing energy. You work for the climb, then get a reward on the way down.

The route can include:

• Dusty tracks through rural farmland
• Swooping single-track sections
• Short, sharp climbs
• Technical descents
• Dry river beds
• Road connectors
• Olive, orange, and lemon groves
• Vineyards and mountain villages

The amount of technical riding depends on your ability. Michael is described as changing the route and pace to fit the group, with options for beginners and more experienced mountain bikers. That flexibility is valuable, especially for mixed groups.

Still, do not confuse adjustable difficulty with an easy ride. One route covered about 45 kilometers and mixed road and off-road riding. Another included steep climbs and single-track descents. If you are an experienced road cyclist but new to mountain biking, you may manage the distance but find the handling very different.

A regular mountain biker should find more to enjoy here. The local trails include enough climbing, descending, and rough ground to make the ride feel like a real outing rather than a gentle tour. A confident teenager may also manage a suitable route, but the guide decides what is appropriate.

The Font de la Mata water supply point

The named stop is Font de la Mata, a historic water supply point with a 19th-century cistern and a well built by the Arabs. These structures once helped irrigate the fields, giving you a direct link to the agricultural life of the area.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes and admission is free. That is enough time to look at the old waterworks, hear their purpose, and catch your breath without turning the ride into a long history lesson.

This is a modest site, not a major monument. If you expect a large archaeological complex, you may find the stop brief. Its value comes from its setting within the ride. You are seeing the kind of practical water infrastructure that made farming possible in a dry part of Spain, then continuing through the countryside it helped support.

The stop also breaks up the physical effort. A short pause can be welcome after a climb, especially in warm weather. Use it to drink, check your bike, and settle your breathing before the next section.

How hard is the ride?

The operator asks for a strong physical fitness level, and you should take that seriously. The ride can last five to six hours, with hills, off-road surfaces, and repeated climbs. Even if the hills are not especially high, the constant changes in elevation can add up.

You do not need to be an elite cyclist. The routes can be adjusted, and the guide has taken beginners with road-cycling experience on mixed road and trail rides. A reasonable standard is being comfortable cycling for several hours and handling uneven ground without panic.

You should be prepared for:

• Sustained pedaling rather than occasional cycling
• Uneven and dusty surfaces
• Climbs that may feel sharp
• Descents requiring controlled braking
• Heat and sun exposure
• A long morning without an included lunch

If your fitness is not at its best, an electric bike may be worth considering. It can reduce the strain of uphill sections while keeping the ride active. Again, confirm that option before booking because it is not clearly included for every participant.

Bring sunscreen. The April conditions described for the route were comfortable enough for a T-shirt, but the sun remains a concern. In hotter weather, carry extra water and snacks beyond the supplied bottle and energy bar.

Coffee, local stops, and the social side

The formal itinerary names Font de la Mata as the stop, but the ride may also include a local café break. A coffee and water refill can make a big difference during a long ride, and the guide is praised for placing the stop at a useful point in the outing.

Some routes may also pass near the beach or include a beer stop, depending on the day and route. Treat these as possible extras rather than guaranteed parts of the published plan. The exact route changes with rider ability, weather, and timing.

Michael’s language skills are another practical advantage. He speaks fluent English and German, which helps when he is explaining trail choices, handling technique, or changes to the route. Good communication matters more on a mountain bike than on a standard city cycle because instructions about speed, braking, and obstacles need to be clear.

The small-group format should also make it easier to ask questions. If you are new to off-road riding, say so at the start. The more honestly you describe your experience, the better Michael can choose the right pace and terrain.

What is included, and what should you bring?

For $122.70 per person, the package includes the full-suspension Trek Remedy, helmet, water bottle, energy bar, and photo service. The bike is the largest part of the value. Renting a properly maintained mountain bike saves you from transporting your own equipment and gives you a machine suited to the trails.

The included safety equipment is useful, but you should still arrive prepared. I would bring:

• Sunscreen
• Extra water
• Additional snacks
• Comfortable cycling clothing
• Suitable closed footwear
• A phone or small camera if you want your own photos

Lunch is not included. The café stop may provide coffee or a refill, but do not rely on it as your only meal. If you need regular food while exercising, pack something extra.

The photo service is a pleasant addition. It means you can focus on riding rather than stopping constantly to take pictures. The value depends on how many photos are taken and how they are delivered, details that are not specified, but it is still a useful bonus for a scenic outdoor activity.

Is $122.70 good value?

The price is fair if you want a guided ride with a quality full-suspension bike and local route planning. You are paying for more than a bicycle rental. The price also covers the guide, route selection, equipment setup, helmet, bottle, energy bar, and photo service.

The value is strongest for visitors who do not have their own mountain bike. Hiring a suitable bike independently may not give you the same access to local trails or the same confidence about route choice. The guide’s ability to adjust difficulty is especially useful if you are visiting the area and do not know which tracks are safe or suitable.

The value is less clear if you already own a capable bike, know the trails around Xàbia, and prefer to ride alone. In that case, you are mainly paying for guiding and local access rather than equipment.

The maximum group size of six helps justify the price. You are not paying for a mass outing, and the guide can respond to differences in fitness and handling skill. Confirm any e-bike supplement or availability separately if pedal assistance matters to you.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to an active visitor who wants to see rural Costa Blanca from a bike seat. It suits experienced mountain bikers looking for local single track, as well as confident road cyclists who want a guided introduction to off-road riding.

It may also suit a mixed-ability pair or small group because the route can be adjusted. A rider with weaker fitness may benefit from an e-bike, while a stronger rider can still enjoy the descents and technical sections.

I would be cautious if you want a relaxed family cycle, have limited fitness, dislike uneven ground, or are uncomfortable with steep descents. The route can be adapted, but the activity remains a mountain bike tour. The operator specifically asks for strong physical fitness.

Book at least a few days ahead if your schedule is tight. The experience is often reserved about six days in advance, and the group limit is small. You receive confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book the Font de la Mata tour?

Book it if you want an active, local view of the Costa Blanca and you are ready for several hours of real cycling. The combination of maintained Trek bikes, a small group, adjustable routes, countryside trails, and Michael’s local knowledge gives the tour strong appeal.

My biggest advice is to clarify the starting point and bike type before booking. You meet in Xàbia, not at a generic Benidorm departure point, and an electric bike is not clearly included as standard. Bring sunscreen, extra water, and food, then expect a rewarding but physical morning.

FAQ

Where does the Font de la Mata mountain bike tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the mountain bike tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five to six hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The ride returns to the original meeting point in Xàbia.

What bike is included?

A Trek Remedy full-suspension mountain bike is included.

Is an electric bike included?

The standard inclusions list a Trek Remedy full-suspension MTB. Electric bikes are mentioned as an option in the experience information, but you should confirm availability before booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although the ride may include a café stop depending on the route.

How far in advance can I cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.