Why this ride
172 km from Vall de Gallinera to Vall de Gallinera, about 3 h 44 of riding. On the way it passes Barranc de mastec, Abric de la fos, Penya roja o Ulls de Canals and back through Abric de la fos. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Cova Llarga and Penya roja o Ulls de Canals
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 172 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 3 h 44
- 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. 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 is where the day begins. Next is Barranc de mastec.
2. 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 comes up about 27 km into the recorded legs. Next is Abric de la fos.
3. 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
about 55 km into the recorded legs you reach Abric de la fos. Next is Penya roja o Ulls de Canals.
4. Penya roja o Ulls de Canals
This is the country of toys and herbs, an unusual pairing. Onil and Ibi, in the inland hills of Alicante, grew up as centres of toy-making, starting with tin and later plastic, and the local museum in Ibi tells how a mountain valley became a world supplier of dolls and games. On the other side, the Sierra de Mariola, a natural park rich in aromatic plants, supplies the herbs for a local liqueur and for traditional remedies. Bocairent, a handsome old town on a rocky spur, has houses built right at the edge of a gorge and a set of man-made caves carved into the cliff, the Covetes dels Moros.
Read the complete Penya roja o Ulls de Canals write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Penya roja o Ulls de Canals, about halfway. Next is back through Abric de la fos.
5. back through Abric de la fos
Return visit. Read the place description above.
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
back through Abric de la fos sits at 101 km, about halfway. Next is back through Barranc de mastec.
6. 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 comes up about 145 km into the recorded legs. Next is Cova Llarga.
7. 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
Cova Llarga closes the day.
Leg by leg
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 Penya roja o Ulls de Canals
Abric de la fos → Penya roja o Ulls de Canals is 31 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Penya roja o Ulls de Canals to back through Abric de la fos
Penya roja o Ulls de Canals → back through Abric de la fos is 31 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Abric de la fos to back through Barranc de mastec
back through 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 Cova Llarga
back through Barranc de mastec → Cova Llarga is 27 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.