Why this ride
From Benasau it runs 204 km to Benasau; allow about 4 h 35 of riding. On the way it passes Cova Llarga, Barranc de mastec, Abric de la fos and back through Barranc de mastec.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Barranc de frainos- Abric I and Abric de la fos
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 204 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 4 h 35
- 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. Barranc de frainos- Abric I
The mountains behind Benidorm are a world away from the high-rise hotels and the beaches. Inland from the Costa Blanca, the land rises quickly into a jumble of limestone ridges, the highest of which, the Serra d'Aitana, reaches over fifteen hundred metres, the roof of the province of Alicante. Between Sella, Benilloba and Relleu, deep in this rugged country, the Barranc de Frainos holds a rock shelter with prehistoric paintings, part of the UNESCO listing of Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula. The sites here are small and fragile, and access is usually limited to guided visits, but the landscape is worth the journey.
Read the complete Barranc de frainos- 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 frainos- Abric I 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 47 km into the recorded legs. Next is Barranc de mastec.
3. Barranc de mastec
Between Cocentaina and Alcoy, in the hilly interior of Alicante province, a small ravine called the Barranc de Mastec holds rock shelters with prehistoric paintings, part of the UNESCO listing of rock art of the Mediterranean Basin. This corner of Spain is particularly rich in it, with styles ranging from the naturalistic Levantine figures of hunters and animals to the strange, abstract macro-schematic art that seems unique to these valleys. The ravine is surrounded by terraced olive and almond groves, pine woods and limestone crags.
Read the complete Barranc de mastec write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 74 km into the recorded legs you reach Barranc de mastec. Next is Abric de la fos.
4. 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, about halfway. Next is back through Barranc de mastec.
5. back through Barranc de mastec
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Barranc de mastec 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 mastec sits at 99 km, about halfway. Next is back through Cova Llarga.
6. 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 comes up about 162 km into the recorded legs. Next is Barranc de frainos- Abric I.
7. Barranc de frainos- Abric I
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Barranc de frainos- 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 frainos- Abric I closes the day.
Leg by leg
Barranc de frainos- Abric I to Cova Llarga
Barranc de frainos- Abric I → Cova Llarga is 47 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Cova Llarga to Barranc de mastec
Cova Llarga → Barranc de mastec is 27 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc de mastec to Abric de la fos
Barranc de mastec → Abric de la fos is 28 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Abric de la fos to back through Barranc de mastec
Abric de la fos → back through Barranc de mastec is 28 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Barranc de mastec to back through Cova Llarga
back through Barranc de mastec → back through Cova Llarga is 32 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Cova Llarga to Barranc de frainos- Abric I
back through Cova Llarga → Barranc de frainos- Abric I is 42 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.