Why this ride
A 293 km round trip from Valdeltormo - roughly 5 h 01 in the saddle. The stops in between: mas de Torres, Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés and back through mas de Torres. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Caídas del Salbimec and Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 293 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 5 h 01
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
The recorded total and the leg detail need reconciliation. Inspect the leg notes before using this record for timing or navigation. 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. Caídas del Salbimec
The Matarraña, or Matarranya as most locals call it, is the corner of Aragón that feels Catalan, Valencian and Aragonese at once, and it has quietly become one of the most rewarding regions in Spain to explore on two wheels. The shelter known as Caídas del Salbimec lies in the hills between Valdeltormo, Mazaleón and Calaceite, one of the many prehistoric art sites along the eastern edge of the peninsula that are protected together by UNESCO. The paintings are modest, and access may involve a rough track and a walk, but the setting is typical of the region: a sandstone outcrop above olive groves and almond terraces, with the river cutting below.
Read the complete Caídas del Salbimec write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Caídas del Salbimec is where the day begins. Next is mas de Torres.
2. mas de Torres
The Monegros in high summer is the closest thing Europe has to a desert, a wide, dry plateau of gypsum hills, wheat stubble and steppe scrub under a hard, white sky. Near the village of Candasnos, close to the main road between Zaragoza and Lleida, the shelter labelled Mas de Torres is one of the rock art sites of the Mediterranean Basin listed by UNESCO, a reminder that people lived and hunted here long before the land dried out to its present state.
Read the complete mas de Torres write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
mas de Torres comes up 66 km in. Next is Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés.
3. Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés
South of Lleida the irrigated orchards give way abruptly to dry, open steppe, and the little village of Alfés sits on the edge of that change. The Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés are rock paintings in a small sandstone shelter near the village, schematic designs in red pigment, mostly abstract lines, dots and simplified figures, that belong to the later, more symbolic phase of prehistoric art in eastern Spain, and they are included in the UNESCO listing of Mediterranean Basin rock art. They are modest to look at, but there is something powerful about seeing marks left by people thousands of years ago in such an open, wind-swept place.
Read the complete Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
132 km in you reach Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés. Next is back through mas de Torres.
4. back through mas de Torres
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete mas de Torres write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through mas de Torres, late in the day. Next is Caídas del Salbimec.
5. Caídas del Salbimec
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Caídas del Salbimec write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Caídas del Salbimec. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Caídas del Salbimec to mas de Torres
Caídas del Salbimec → mas de Torres is 61 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
mas de Torres to Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés
mas de Torres → Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés is 70 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés to back through mas de Torres
Pintures Rupestres d'Alfés → back through mas de Torres is 70 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
back through mas de Torres to Caídas del Salbimec
back through mas de Torres → Caídas del Salbimec is 61 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.