Why this ride
From Cocentaina it runs 288 km to Cocentaina; allow about 5 h 32 of riding. The stops in between: Barranc del Sord-Abric I, Penya del Vicari, Barranc de la fita-Abric V and back through Penya del Vicari.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Abric de la Penya Banyà and Barranc de la fita-Abric V
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 288 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 5 h 32
- 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 Penya Banyà
Somewhere in the limestone folds around Cocentaina, under an overhang of rock, people painted small figures thousands of years before anyone here had heard of Rome. The rock shelters of this part of Alicante belong to the great family of Mediterranean rock art that runs down the eastern side of Spain, recognised together by UNESCO, and the Abric de la Penya Banyà is one of these quiet, unassuming sites. Expect faded red pigment on pale stone, often protected behind a grille, and a short walk from the nearest track rather than a visitor centre.
Read the complete Abric de la Penya Banyà write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Abric de la Penya Banyà is where the day begins. Next is Barranc del Sord-Abric I.
2. Barranc del Sord-Abric I
Aitana is the mountain you can see from nearly everywhere in this part of Alicante, and at 1,558 metres it is the highest in the province. The village of Benimantell sits in its shadow, a tiny place of fewer than five hundred people with white houses and a view that ends in blue haze. The shelter named here, Barranc del Sord, belongs to the Tabla de Pochico group, a scatter of Levantine paintings in the hills of the Marina Baixa that form part of the UNESCO-listed rock art of the Mediterranean Basin.
Read the complete Barranc del Sord-Abric I write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Barranc del Sord-Abric I comes up about 31 km into the recorded legs. Next is Penya del Vicari.
3. Penya del Vicari
On a map of the Costa Blanca, the Serra de Bernia looks like a wall dropped between two very different worlds. On one side, high-rise Benidorm and the busy coast; on the other, the quiet valleys of Jalón and Guadalest. The Penya del Vicari is one of the rocky outcrops in these hills above Altea and Calp, a place where the limestone is cut by caves and shelters, some of which carry traces of prehistoric painting. It is a small, quiet site in an area otherwise famous for sun loungers.
Read the complete Penya del Vicari write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 101 km into the recorded legs you reach Penya del Vicari. Next is Barranc de la fita-Abric V.
4. Barranc de la fita-Abric V
If you came here in February, you would find the slopes above Castell de Castells covered in almond blossom, white and pale pink against the grey rock. In April, the cherry trees follow. By June, the almonds and the first cherries are being harvested, the heat settles in, and the shelters in the ravine give welcome shade. By October, the first rains return, the air clears, and the whole valley looks newly washed. The shelter at Barranc de la Fita, Abric V, lies about three kilometres from the village and is a good excuse to see the valley in whichever season you choose.
Read the complete Barranc de la fita-Abric V write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Barranc de la fita-Abric V, about halfway. Next is back through Penya del Vicari.
5. back through Penya del Vicari
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Penya del Vicari write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Penya del Vicari sits at 101 km, about halfway. Next is back through Barranc del Sord-Abric I.
6. back through Barranc del Sord-Abric I
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Barranc del Sord-Abric I write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Barranc del Sord-Abric I comes up about 256 km into the recorded legs. Next is Abric de la Penya Banyà.
7. Abric de la Penya Banyà
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Abric de la Penya Banyà write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Abric de la Penya Banyà closes the day.
Leg by leg
Abric de la Penya Banyà to Barranc del Sord-Abric I
Abric de la Penya Banyà → Barranc del Sord-Abric I is 31 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc del Sord-Abric I to Penya del Vicari
Barranc del Sord-Abric I → Penya del Vicari is 70 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Penya del Vicari to Barranc de la fita-Abric V
Penya del Vicari → Barranc de la fita-Abric V is 43 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc de la fita-Abric V to back through Penya del Vicari
Barranc de la fita-Abric V → back through Penya del Vicari is 48 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Penya del Vicari to back through Barranc del Sord-Abric I
back through Penya del Vicari → back through Barranc del Sord-Abric I is 64 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Barranc del Sord-Abric I to Abric de la Penya Banyà
back through Barranc del Sord-Abric I → Abric de la Penya Banyà is 31 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.