Tormos and Sagra are tiny villages at the foot of the mountains in the north of Alicante province, at the point where the plain of the Marina Alta meets the hills. They are surrounded by orange groves and orchards, with the mountains of the Vall de Laguar and the Serra del Migdia rising steeply behind. The Barranc de la Palla, the ravine of the straw, cuts into the hills near Tormos, close also to Orba and the town of Pego.
The mountains of the Marina Alta are rich in rock art, part of the UNESCO-listed Mediterranean group. The shelters here include Levantine, schematic and Macro-schematic paintings, and the Barranc de la Palla is one of several sites in this area. They are small and protected. The Vall de Laguar, above Tormos, is also famous for its walking trails, particularly the Barranc de l'Infern, a deep gorge with thousands of stone steps built by the Moors to link the villages, often called the cathedral of hiking.
Pego, the nearest town, is set on the edge of a large coastal wetland, the Marjal de Pego-Oliva, a natural park with springs, rice fields and canals, home to many birds. Rice is grown here, and the area has a long tradition of fishing and hunting in the marsh. The town has a pleasant old centre with a fine church.
The riding around Tormos is excellent. The roads that climb into the mountains, toward the Vall de Laguar, the Vall d'Ebo and the Vall de Gallinera, are narrow, twisty and spectacular, with steep climbs, tight hairpins and great views over the coast. The road from Pego up to the Vall d'Ebo is a local favourite, climbing in a series of bends to a valley in the mountains. Surfaces vary, and some roads are very narrow. In summer, the coastal roads are busy with tourist traffic, but the mountains are quiet.
Pego, about five kilometres away, has fuel and all services. Local food includes the rice of Pego, cooked in many ways, and the fish of the coast. The orange groves blossom in spring, filling the air with scent. Autumn is also a good time to ride.