Coves del Civil o Ribasals- Abric I and mas d'en Badenes
Plan this ride
Recorded distance
83 km
Riding-time estimate
1 h 39
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.
An 83 km round trip from Albocàsser - roughly 1 h 39 in the saddle. The stops in between: Barranc del Puig- Abric I, mas d'en Badenes and back through Barranc del Puig- Abric I. The stored terrain estimate reaches about 1,250 m; a measured road-elevation profile is not available. The line favours views over speed.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Coves del Civil o Ribasals- Abric I
Coves del Civil, also known as Ribasals, is one of the great concentrations of Levantine rock art in the Valltorta gorge area of Castellón province, and the number I beside its name marks the first shelter in the series. The Valltorta, a deep dry ravine running through limestone near the village of Tírig, was one of the first places where scholars recognised that this painting tradition existed, and a museum in Tírig tells how the paintings came to light. The paintings show archers, hunting scenes and animals, with a vividness that surprises anyone who expects scratchy marks on a wall.
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Coves del Civil o Ribasals- Abric I is where the day begins. Next is Barranc del Puig- Abric I.
2. Barranc del Puig- Abric I
The Maestrat is the high, rugged interior of the province of Castellón, a land of limestone plateaus, deep ravines and stone villages that seem to grow out of the rock. Near Benassal, the Barranc del Puig cuts into the hills, and its rock shelters contain prehistoric paintings, part of the UNESCO serial site of the rock art of the Mediterranean Basin. This area is one of the richest in Spain for Levantine rock art, and the nearby Valltorta gorge, between Albocàsser and Tírig, has some of the most famous paintings, including scenes of hunters chasing deer and wild goats. The Valltorta museum in Tírig explains the art and organises visits to the shelters.
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Barranc del Puig- Abric I comes up about 19 km into the recorded legs. Next is mas d'en Badenes.
3. mas d'en Badenes
This is a thinly populated landscape of limestone plateaus, stone-walled terraces, holm oaks and old farmhouses, a world away from the beach resorts an hour to the east.
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Coves del Civil o Ribasals- Abric I. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Coves del Civil o Ribasals- Abric I to Barranc del Puig- Abric I
Coves del Civil o Ribasals- Abric I → Barranc del Puig- Abric I is 19 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc del Puig- Abric I to mas d'en Badenes
Barranc del Puig- Abric I → mas d'en Badenes is 19 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
mas d'en Badenes to back through Barranc del Puig- Abric I
mas d'en Badenes → back through Barranc del Puig- Abric I is 27 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Barranc del Puig- Abric I to Coves del Civil o Ribasals- Abric I
back through Barranc del Puig- Abric I → Coves del Civil o Ribasals- Abric I is 19 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.