The hills behind Alicante rise quickly. A few kilometres inland from the Costa Blanca, the flat coastal strip gives way to dry limestone ridges covered in scrub, pine, carob and almond, with deep ravines cut by streams that run only after heavy rain. These are the foothills of the Betic ranges, and in this part of the province the land climbs towards the sierras of Aitana and Mariola. El Campello, a former fishing town of about 26,000 people on the coast, is the closest sizeable place, and the nearby resort towns fill with visitors every summer, but the hinterland stays quieter and more rural.
People have lived in these hills for a very long time. The shelters and ravines of eastern Spain hold some of the most remarkable prehistoric art in Europe, the so-called Levantine rock art, in which small red and black figures of archers, hunters and animals are painted on rock walls. UNESCO listed the Mediterranean rock art of the Iberian Peninsula in 1998, and the Alicante province has several sites. The sites are fragile and often unmarked, and many are fenced or closed to protect the paintings, so do not expect a signed attraction. Ask locally, or at the nearest tourist office, before you go.
The ride inland is good. Roads from El Campello and Mutxamel wind into the hills past almond groves, small farmhouses and villages, with tight bends and some steep ramps. Some roads are narrow and the surfaces are patchy, so take care, especially after rain. In summer the heat is intense, with temperatures easily above 35 degrees, so ride early or late. Spring, when the almond trees blossom in white and pink, and autumn are the best times.
Fuel and food are easy near the coast, with stations in El Campello and Mutxamel, and fewer in the hills, so top up first. The nougat town of Xixona, home of the Spanish turrón, lies a short ride inland, and a stop at a shop to taste the hard and soft types is a pleasant detour. The Mediterranean light, the smell of pine and thyme and the sea glittering in the distance make a simple afternoon out of town.