Why this ride
From Cocentaina it runs 242 km to Cocentaina; allow about 5 h 31 of riding. On the way it passes Cova Llarga, Morro Carrascal, Barranc d'en Grau and back through Morro Carrascal.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Barranc de mastec and Barranc d'en Grau
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 242 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 5 h 31
- 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 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
Barranc de mastec 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 32 km into the recorded legs. Next is Morro Carrascal.
3. Morro Carrascal
Inland from Benidorm, barely half an hour from the tower blocks and beaches, the mountains of the Alicante interior rise steep and empty. Morro Carrascal is a rocky height in this country, near the villages of Benilloba, Sella and Benimantell, where the sierras of Aitana, Serrella and Mariola come together. Shelters in these mountains hold prehistoric paintings in both the Levantine and the older Macroschematic styles, and they belong to the World Heritage listing of Iberian rock art.
Read the complete Morro Carrascal write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 80 km into the recorded legs you reach Morro Carrascal. Next is Barranc d'en Grau.
4. Barranc d'en Grau
Marina Alta is the part of Alicante that most visitors know from the beach, but behind the coast the landscape rises into limestone ravines that feel closer to Mallorca than to a resort. The Barranc d'en Grau is one of those clefts, in the hills above Villalonga and the upper reaches of the Vall d'Ebo. The painted shelter in the neighbouring ravine is among a number of rock-art sites in the region, sharing the Levantine style with sites farther north: red figures of hunters, animals and symbols that were painted long before any Roman set foot here.
Read the complete Barranc d'en Grau write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Barranc d'en Grau, about halfway. Next is back through Morro Carrascal.
5. back through Morro Carrascal
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Morro Carrascal write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Morro Carrascal 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 215 km into the recorded legs. Next is Barranc de mastec.
7. 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
Barranc de mastec closes the day.
Leg by leg
Barranc de mastec to Cova Llarga
Barranc de mastec → Cova Llarga is 32 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Cova Llarga to Morro Carrascal
Cova Llarga → Morro Carrascal is 48 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Morro Carrascal to Barranc d'en Grau
Morro Carrascal → Barranc d'en Grau is 40 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc d'en Grau to back through Morro Carrascal
Barranc d'en Grau → back through Morro Carrascal is 49 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Morro Carrascal to back through Cova Llarga
back through Morro Carrascal → back through Cova Llarga is 46 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Cova Llarga to Barranc de mastec
back through Cova Llarga → Barranc de mastec is 27 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.