Near Bicorp, in the dry, folded hills of inland Valencia, one of the most famous images in prehistoric art was found in 1920: a figure clinging to ropes on a cliff, reaching into a hole surrounded by bees, a honey gatherer painted thousands of years ago in the Cuevas de la Araña. The Abrigo de Rosser lies in the same rugged area of the Canal de Navarrés and the Júcar gorges, one of many shelters with Levantine paintings in this region, and together they form part of the UNESCO-listed Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin. Bicorp has a small interpretation centre, and guided visits to some shelters can be arranged.
The landscape is wild and empty. The villages of Bicorp, Quesa and Millares are small, each with a few hundred inhabitants, and surrounded by pine forests, scrub, cliffs and deep ravines. The Júcar river cuts through limestone gorges to the north, dammed in places to form long, turquoise reservoirs like the one at Cortes de Pallás. Further north, on the Turia, natural pools such as the Charco Azul near Chulilla draw swimmers in summer, and closer to hand the Júcar and its tributaries hide quieter spots known mainly to locals.
Riding here is a real pleasure. The roads are narrow, winding and often almost empty, climbing over ridges and dropping into gorges with views that stretch for miles. Surfaces vary from good to poor, and gravel, rockfall and wild animals can appear around any corner. Summer is hot and fire risk is high, while winter can bring cold winds.
The nearest larger town is Carlet, about eighteen kilometres away, with Xàtiva and Requena also within reach. The small villages have bars and simple restaurants serving local food like gazpacho, rice dishes, and roast meats. Plan your fuel stops carefully and carry water, especially in summer, when the hills shimmer in the heat. Spring is the kindest season, with the scrub in flower and the ravines still holding a little water.