Why this ride
From Ontinyent it runs 331 km to Ontinyent; allow about 5 h 16 of riding. On the way it passes Barranc de Bolulla, Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi and back through Barranc de Bolulla. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Abric de la fos and Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 331 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 5 h 16
- 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. Abric de la fos
The Vall d'Albaida is a broad valley in the south of the province of Valencia, between the Serra Grossa to the north and the Serra de Mariola to the south, and its towns grew wealthy on textiles. Aielo de Malferit, a small town on the edge of the valley, has a rock shelter called the Abric de la Fos in the hills nearby, with prehistoric paintings in the Levantine style. The shelter is protected and access is limited, so check with the local tourist office or interpretation centres before visiting.
Read the complete Abric de la fos write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Abric de la fos is where the day begins. Next is Barranc de Bolulla.
2. Barranc de Bolulla
Bolulla is barely a village, a few hundred people tucked into a valley of the Marina Baixa behind Benidorm, and the ravine that carries its name cuts into the limestone hills just outside it. The mountains here are steep and close together, terraced for centuries with olives, almonds and loquats, and their caves and shelters hold traces of prehistoric painting that place this corner of Alicante within the wider family of Mediterranean rock art. What you see on the ground is a dry, rocky gully scented with pine and wild herbs, with the ruined castle of Bolulla perched on a ridge above, a reminder of the Moorish centuries when these valleys were densely settled.
Read the complete Barranc de Bolulla write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Barranc de Bolulla comes up about 78 km into the recorded legs. Next is Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi.
3. Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi
The Carabassí is one of the last stretches of wild-ish coast between Alicante and Santa Pola: a line of dunes held together by pine and marram grass, a long beach, and the sea glittering under the flight path of Alicante airport. In the low rocky ground behind it lies a small cave known for painted marks, the Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassí, close to the village of El Altet and a short hop from Santa Pola.
Read the complete Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 164 km into the recorded legs you reach Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi. Next is back through Barranc de Bolulla.
4. back through Barranc de Bolulla
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Barranc de Bolulla 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 Bolulla, late in the day. Next is Abric de la fos.
5. Abric de la fos
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Abric de la fos write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Abric de la fos. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Abric de la fos to Barranc de Bolulla
Abric de la fos → Barranc de Bolulla is 78 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc de Bolulla to Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi
Barranc de Bolulla → Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi is 86 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi to back through Barranc de Bolulla
Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi → back through Barranc de Bolulla is 89 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
back through Barranc de Bolulla to Abric de la fos
back through Barranc de Bolulla → Abric de la fos is 78 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.