Why this ride
From Alicante it runs 222 km to Alicante; allow about 4 h 07 of riding. On the way it passes Cova Llarga, Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l, Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo II and Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo III.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Alicante long day · Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo III
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 222 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 4 h 07
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Alicante
Alicante is a bright, easy city built on a rock. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara sits on top of Mount Benacantil and watches the harbour from about 170 metres up, and on a clear day the view runs all the way along the coast. The promenade below, the Explanada de España, is paved with a wave pattern in red, cream and black marble, with palms on both sides, and it is the natural place to start an evening: the whole town seems to be on that walk.
Read the complete Alicante write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Alicante is where the day begins. Next is Cova Llarga.
2. Cova Llarga
The Benicadell is the mountain that tells you where you are in this part of Valencia. Its long, sharp limestone ridge, topped by a distinctive rocky tooth, separates the Vall d'Albaida from the valleys of Alcoy and Cocentaina, and on clear days it is visible from the coast. The Cova Llarga, the long cave, sits on the southern side of this world, in the folded hills near Beniarrés, Terrateig and Planes, and it belongs to the scatter of small sites that record people living, painting and sheltering in these hills since prehistory.
Read the complete Cova Llarga write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Cova Llarga comes up about 93 km into the recorded legs. Next is Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l.
3. Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l
Castelló de Rugat sits on the southern rim of the Vall d'Albaida, a broad valley in the south of Valencia province hemmed in by mountain ridges. On one side rises the long saw-toothed crest of the Benicadell, on the other the Serra de la Solana, and between them lies a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves and small towns with church towers. The Barranc de les Coves, the ravine of the caves, cuts into the slopes near Castelló de Rugat, Ràfol de Salem and Beniarrés, and its first shelter holds painted figures.
Read the complete Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
At least about 110 km into the recorded legs you reach Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l. Next is Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo II.
4. Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo II
The word barranc means a ravine, and the Barranc de les Coves is exactly that, one of the many steep valleys that cut into the limestone mountains of the Comtat and Alcoià in the interior of Alicante province. This is a green country compared with the dry plains farther south, with forests of pine and holm oak, terraced slopes of cherry, almond and olive, and clear streams in the bottom of the gorges. Roads in the area link small villages such as Beniarrés, Ráfol de Salem and Castelló de Rugat, each with a church tower and a cluster of white houses.
Read the complete Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo II write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo II, about halfway. Next is Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo III.
5. Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo III
The Benicadell range is the thing that dominates every view here, a pale limestone ridge that rises above 1,100 metres between the Vall d'Albaida and the Comtat. The shelter marked here lies at the base of it, among villages that most Valencians have heard of but few have visited: Ráfol de Salem, Castelló de Rugat and Beniarrés, all within four kilometres of one another. This is quiet country of orchards, olive terraces and little hamlets with a church and a bar.
Read the complete Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo III write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo III sits at 83 km, about halfway. Next is back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo II.
6. back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo II
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo II write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo II comes up about 113 km into the recorded legs. Next is back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l.
7. back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 114 km into the recorded legs you reach back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l. Next is back through Cova Llarga.
8. back through Cova Llarga
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Cova Llarga write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Cova Llarga, late in the day. Next is Alicante.
9. Alicante
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Alicante write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
The route ends here after 222 km.
Leg by leg
Alicante to Cova Llarga
Alicante → Cova Llarga is 93 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Cova Llarga to Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l
Cova Llarga → Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l is 17 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l to back through Cova Llarga
back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l → back through Cova Llarga is 23 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Cova Llarga to Alicante
back through Cova Llarga → Alicante is 89 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.