Why this ride
270 km from Vall de Gallinera to Vall de Gallinera, about 5 h 04 of riding. It goes by way of Abric de Seguili, Coves Santes de Dalt, Cueva de los Arcos and back through Coves Santes de Dalt. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Al Patró and Cueva de los Arcos
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 270 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 5 h 04
- 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. Al Patró
The Vall d'Ebo is one of those valleys that history has emptied. In 1609 the Spanish crown ordered the expulsion of the Moriscos, the descendants of the region's Muslim population, and in the mountains of the Marina Alta, many villages lost almost everyone overnight. Some Moriscos resisted in the high cliffs of the Muela de Cortes before the end came. Vall d'Ebo today has barely three hundred inhabitants, and its terraced fields, built by Morisco farmers for irrigation, are still visible as stone steps climbing the hillsides.
Read the complete Al Patró write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Al Patró is where the day begins. Next is Abric de Seguili.
2. Abric de Seguilí
The Vall de Pop, or Jalón valley as many foreign residents call it, is a sheltered valley in the north of Alicante province, a few kilometres inland from the coast at Dénia and Xàbia. It is a landscape of vineyards, almond and olive groves and orange trees, with white villages and the mountains rising on all sides. Alcalalí is one of these villages, with a medieval tower in its centre, and Parcent and Orba are nearby. The Abric de Seguilí lies in the hills just outside Alcalalí.
Read the complete Abric de Seguili write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Abric de Seguilí comes up about 25 km into the recorded legs. Next is Coves Santes de Dalt.
3. Coves Santes de Dalt
The Montgó is the great limestone hulk that rises between Dénia and Jávea on the Costa Blanca, a mountain that looks like a sleeping elephant from some angles and dominates every view along this stretch of coast. On its flanks, in shelters and small caves, are prehistoric paintings, and the Coves Santes de Dalt, the upper holy caves, are among the sites in the area recorded as part of the UNESCO Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin. The paintings here are mostly schematic, simpler and more abstract than the hunting scenes found inland, and the shelters are protected, so viewing usually needs a guided visit.
Read the complete Coves Santes de Dalt write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 54 km into the recorded legs you reach Coves Santes de Dalt. Next is Cueva de los Arcos.
4. Cueva de los Arcos
Behind the Costa Blanca, only a few kilometres from the busy beaches of El Campello and the high-rises of Benidorm, the land climbs steeply into limestone mountains that feel surprisingly wild. The Cabeçó d'Or, a jagged massif above the village of Busot, dominates the area, and its slopes are riddled with caves and shelters. The Cueva de los Arcos is one of the sites in this area included in the World Heritage inscription of the rock art of the Mediterranean Basin, with faint painted motifs on the rock. Nearby, the Cuevas del Canelobre, a huge cave with towering stalactites, is open for visits and is one of the most impressive show caves in the region.
Read the complete Cueva de los Arcos write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Cueva de los Arcos, about halfway. Next is back through Coves Santes de Dalt.
5. back through Coves Santes de Dalt
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Coves Santes de Dalt write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Coves Santes de Dalt sits at 179 km, about halfway. Next is back through Abric de Seguili.
6. back through Abric de Seguili
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Abric de Seguili write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Abric de Seguili comes up about 243 km into the recorded legs. Next is Al Patró.
7. Al Patró
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Al Patró write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Al Patró closes the day.
Leg by leg
Al Patró to Abric de Seguili
Al Patró → Abric de Seguili is 25 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Abric de Seguilí to Coves Santes de Dalt
Abric de Seguilí → Coves Santes de Dalt is 29 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Coves Santes de Dalt to Cueva de los Arcos
Coves Santes de Dalt → Cueva de los Arcos is 80 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Cueva de los Arcos to back through Coves Santes de Dalt
Cueva de los Arcos → back through Coves Santes de Dalt is 80 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
back through Coves Santes de Dalt to back through Abric de Seguili
back through Coves Santes de Dalt → back through Abric de Seguili is 29 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Abric de Seguili to Al Patró
back through Abric de Seguili → Al Patró is 25 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.