The Sierra de Alfaro is a long limestone ridge in the mountains of northern Alicante, between Castell de Castells, Benimantell and Planes, a rugged, empty landscape of rock, scrub and pine, with terraced valleys and small villages tucked into its folds. Its slopes hold several shelters with prehistoric paintings, and the area is part of one of the richest regions for rock art in Spain, with Levantine, schematic and the unique macroschematic styles found nowhere else. The ridge is also crossed by walking trails, and the views from the top over the mountains and the sea are wide.
To the south lies the valley of Guadalest, one of the most visited places in the province, with its castle perched on a needle of rock and a village reached through a tunnel in the stone. Benimantell, just below, is a quieter village with restaurants serving traditional mountain food. Above the valley rises the Serra d'Aitana, the highest mountain range in the province of Alicante, with its summit at over fifteen hundred metres, crowned by military installations, and its slopes are home to the Safari Aitana and the snow wells that once supplied ice to the coastal towns. The Guadalest reservoir, turquoise and surrounded by mountains, is a striking sight from the road above.
The riding in these mountains is outstanding. The road from Callosa through Guadalest to Confrides and on over the Port de Confrides, a pass through the mountains towards Alcoi, is a classic, with flowing bends, steep sections and dramatic views. The minor roads around Castell de Castells, Famorca and Planes are narrower and quieter, with tight bends, rough patches and almost no traffic. Cyclists are common in winter, and walkers in spring and autumn, so stay alert on blind bends.
Services are limited in the villages, with small shops, bars and restaurants, and fuel is not available everywhere, so fill up in Callosa, Cocentaina, about fifteen kilometres away, or the larger towns on the coast. The local food is hearty, with olleta, a stew of beans, meat and vegetables, and pericana, a dish of dried peppers, salted cod and olive oil. Summers are hot, but the mountains are cooler than the coast, and winters can be cold, with occasional snow on the higher ridges.