Monte Arabí rises out of the plains of the Altiplano like an upturned boat, a long ridge of pale rock above a country of vines and cereal fields, and the Cantos de la Visera are among the shelters that gather round its flanks. Cantos de la Visera II is one of two shelters bearing that name, and it holds Levantine paintings that are part of the UNESCO list of Mediterranean rock art. The shelters sit in the rock of the Visera, an overhanging outcrop, giving shelter from the rain and sun that has kept the paint alive.
The nearest villages are Montealegre del Castillo and Fuente-Álamo, both in Albacete province, with a couple of thousand people each, and the bigger town is Yecla, in the Murcia region, with thirty-five thousand. Yecla is well known for its red wines, made from the Monastrell grape, which have their own denomination. The town has pumps, cafes and a decent old quarter, and it is the sensible place to refuel and eat.
The riding is straightforward and open. Roads cross the plain in long straights and gentle curves, and the wind can be strong, so a good grip on the handlebars is needed. The roads leading up to the Monte Arabí area are rough in places, and the last part to the rock is a track. At weekends, walkers and picnickers come out to the monte, and the area can be busy on a sunny Sunday in spring.
The area is a protected landscape, and the rocks are a haven for birds of prey, with kestrels and eagle owls nesting in the cliffs. The air is dry, and the smell of thyme and baked earth is strong. Winters are cold, with frost and occasional snow, and summers are hot and still.
Spring is the season to choose, with wild flowers in the fields and a soft light. Autumn is also good, and the grape harvest gives the roads a busy, cheerful feel. For the shelters, ask locally about access and follow the signs, because the paintings are delicate.