The Vall d'Albaida is a broad valley in the south of the province of Valencia, between the Serra Grossa to the north and the Serra de Mariola to the south, and its towns grew wealthy on textiles. Aielo de Malferit, a small town on the edge of the valley, has a rock shelter called the Abric de la Fos in the hills nearby, with prehistoric paintings in the Levantine style. The shelter is protected and access is limited, so check with the local tourist office or interpretation centres before visiting.
The Serra Grossa, as its name suggests, is a long, bulky ridge, covered with pine and scrub, separating the Vall d'Albaida from the plain of Xàtiva to the north. The landscape of the valley is agricultural, with vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees, and the towns have a long history of textile manufacturing, especially Ontinyent, which was a major centre for blankets and fabrics. Aielo de Malferit has a castle-palace in its centre and a tradition of wine production.
The riding around the Vall d'Albaida is varied. The valley roads are easy and connect a string of towns, while the roads climbing into the Serra Grossa and the Serra de Mariola offer winding routes with good views. The road over the Serra Grossa towards Xàtiva has some fine bends. Traffic is moderate, and surfaces are generally good. Summer is hot, and spring and autumn are the best seasons. Watch for local traffic in the towns and for cyclists on the mountain roads on weekends.
Aielo de Malferit, two kilometres away, has basic services, and Ontinyent, five kilometres away, has fuel, shops and restaurants. Ontinyent's old town, with its tall church tower and a bridge over the Clariano river, is worth a walk. Xàtiva, to the north, has a great castle on a hill and an old town with many historic buildings. The local cuisine includes arròs al forn, oven-baked rice with pork, chickpeas and sausage, a Valencian classic. In the evening, the light on the Serra Grossa turns the ridge golden.