Why this ride
From El Altet it runs 347 km to El Altet; allow about 4 h 27 of riding. It goes by way of La Sarga- Abric I, Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I and back through La Sarga- Abric I. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi and Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 347 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 4 h 27
- 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. Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi
The Carabassí is one of the last stretches of wild-ish coast between Alicante and Santa Pola: a line of dunes held together by pine and marram grass, a long beach, and the sea glittering under the flight path of Alicante airport. In the low rocky ground behind it lies a small cave known for painted marks, the Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassí, close to the village of El Altet and a short hop from Santa Pola.
Read the complete Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi is where the day begins. Next is La Sarga- Abric I.
2. La Sarga- Abric I
Alcoy, or Alcoi in Valencian, is a city of bridges, built where three rivers meet in deep ravines, in the mountains of northern Alicante. It was one of the cradles of Spain's industrial revolution, with textile and paper mills powered by its rivers, and its streets have fine modernist buildings from that era. It is also famous for its Moors and Christians festival in April, one of the most spectacular in Spain, with parades, music and mock battles in honour of Saint George. The rock shelters of La Sarga lie in the hills about eight kilometres from the city, toward Ibi.
Read the complete La Sarga- Abric I write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
La Sarga- Abric I comes up about 71 km into the recorded legs. Next is Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I.
3. Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I
The Marina Alta is the northern Costa Blanca at its most mixed: villas on every slope, a ribbon of coast running from Moraira to Jávea, and just behind it, farm terraces, dry stone walls and small rock shelters where prehistoric people left their mark. The Cova de la Catxupa, near Teulada and Benitachell, is one of them, a shelter in the hills a few kilometres from the sea, listed with the other Mediterranean rock art of the Iberian Peninsula.
Read the complete Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 171 km into the recorded legs you reach Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I. Next is back through La Sarga- Abric I.
4. back through La Sarga- Abric I
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete La Sarga- Abric I write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through La Sarga- Abric I, late in the day. Next is Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi.
5. Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi to La Sarga- Abric I
Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi → La Sarga- Abric I is 71 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
La Sarga- Abric I to Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I
La Sarga- Abric I → Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I is 100 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I to back through La Sarga- Abric I
Cova de la Catxupa- Abric I → back through La Sarga- Abric I is 104 km of getting across. Ride it tidily and keep the enthusiasm for what comes after.
back through La Sarga- Abric I to Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi
back through La Sarga- Abric I → Cueva de las Arañas del Carabassi is 71 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.