In the Vall d'Ebo, a small valley in the mountains of northern Alicante, the Abric de les Torrudanes is a rock shelter with prehistoric paintings, one of many in the area that form part of the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin World Heritage listing. The paintings include human figures and animals in the Levantine style, and the shelter's location, on a cliff above the valley, offers views over the mountains. Nearby, the Cova del Rull is a show cave with stalactites and stalagmites.
The Vall d'Ebo is also the starting point for one of the most famous walks in the region, the Barranc de l'Infern, a deep gorge with a route of thousands of stone steps, built by the Moorish inhabitants to connect their villages and fields, sometimes called the cathedral of hiking. The village itself is small and quiet, with whitewashed houses and a church, and the landscape around is a mix of terraced fields, olive and almond groves, and rocky mountains.
The roads in and out of the Vall d'Ebo are narrow and winding, with tight curves and steep climbs, and they are a delight for riders who enjoy technical roads. The road from Pego to the Vall d'Ebo climbs steeply with hairpins and views over the coast, and the road on to the Vall d'AlcalĂ is quieter still. Grit washes onto the bends after rain, and goats occasionally wander onto the hairpins. The cool months from October to April are the most comfortable for riding here.
Pego, five kilometres away, has a filling station, shops and restaurants, and the village of Vall d'Ebo has a couple of bars and restaurants. The Cova del Rull show cave has a café and guided tours, and it is a cool refuge on a hot day. Try the local olive oil and almonds, and the hearty mountain dishes of the region, such as olla, a stew of meat, beans and vegetables. If you have the legs for it, the walk down into the Barranc de l'Infern and back up the stone steps is unforgettable, but bring water, as there is none on the route.