On a clear day in this corner of Alicante you can see the long pale ridge of Aitana, the highest mountain in the province at about 1,558 metres, and the sea beyond it, which is a surprising combination for a country of rock shelters and mule tracks. Cova Alta II lies three and a half kilometres from Castell de Castells, in the high limestone country of the Serrella and Aitana massifs, and the name means high cave, which tells you what to expect: a climb. It is the second of the Cova Alta shelters, with Abric III and others nearby, and it forms part of the Mediterranean rock art listed by UNESCO in 1998.
The valley of the Castells river is quiet, and much of its charm is the lack of a destination. Villages are small, the roads are narrow, and the tourist crowds go to the coast. The people who live here earn their living from almonds, olives and a few cherry trees, supplemented by visitors who come to walk. In the village of Castell de Castells the main attraction is a plaza with a couple of bars, and the biggest event of the year is the village festival in late summer, when the population swells.
Riders will like the road. The CV-715 climbs from the Guadalest valley to a pass, then drops through a series of hairpins to Castell de Castells, and continues toward Tàrbena and the Coll de Rates. It is a narrow road with a few rough patches, but it is perfect for a slow, rolling ride. Cars are rare, cyclists are frequent, and in spring the roadsides are yellow with broom and white with rock rose. Beware of heat in summer and of fog on the heights in winter.
Fuel is the main thing to sort out, because Castell de Castells, Vall de Ebo and Benimantell are all tiny. Pego, twelve kilometres away, is the nearest proper town, and the coastal towns of the Marina Alta have everything else. A packed lunch is a good idea, since opening hours in the villages are unpredictable. Water is essential for the walk to the shelter, and good shoes are better than riding boots on the scree.