Balma de la fabriqueta and Barranco de las Colochas- Abrigo I

Scenic road chapters

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Balma de la fabriqueta

   The Serra Calderona is the green ridge that rises north-west of Valencia, separating the city's plain from the valleys of the interior. It is a natural park of pine forest, cork oak and rocky hills, close enough to the city for weekend walkers and riders, yet surprisingly wild once you get into it. The rock shelter of Balma de la Fabriqueta lies near the village of Olocau on its southern side, one of the painted shelters that make up the Levantine rock art inscribed by UNESCO. Access to many of these sites is restricted or guided, so check with the local tourist office before trying to visit.

   Read the complete Balma de la fabriqueta write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Balma de la fabriqueta is where the day begins. Next is Barranc de la falaguera- Abric I.

2. 2. Barranc de la falaguera- Abric I

   Alginet sits in the Ribera Alta, the flat, fertile plain south of Valencia where the Júcar river spreads out among orange groves, rice fields and small towns. To the west, the plain meets the first hills of the interior, low ridges of limestone covered in pine and scrub. The Barranc de la Falaguera, the ravine of the fern, cuts into these hills near Alginet, Alfarp and Benifaió.

   Read the complete Barranc de la falaguera- Abric I write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Barranc de la falaguera- Abric I comes up about 66 km into the recorded legs. Next is Barranco de las Colochas- Abrigo I.

3. 3. Barranco de las Colochas- Abrigo I

   West of Valencia, the river Turia leaves the mountains through a series of deep gorges, and around the villages of Gestalgar, Sot de Chera and Chulilla, the landscape turns dramatic: limestone cliffs, pine-covered slopes and the river winding green below. In a side ravine near Gestalgar, the Barranco de las Colochas shelters a handful of painted panels that UNESCO counts among the Mediterranean rock art of Iberia. The figures are faint, but the setting is worth the effort on its own.

   Read the complete Barranco de las Colochas- Abrigo I write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 134 km into the recorded legs you reach Barranco de las Colochas- Abrigo I. Next is back through Barranc de la falaguera- Abric I.

4. 4. back through Barranc de la falaguera- Abric I

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Barranc de la falaguera- 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 de la falaguera- Abric I, late in the day. Next is Balma de la fabriqueta.

5. 5. Balma de la fabriqueta

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Balma de la fabriqueta write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Balma de la fabriqueta. That is the ride.