Why this ride
From Villajoyosa it runs 224 km to Villajoyosa; allow about 4 h 54 of riding. On the way it passes Barranc de frainos- Abric I, Cova Llarga, Barranc de mastec and back through Cova Llarga.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Cueva de los Arcos and Barranc de mastec
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 224 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 4 h 54
- 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. Cueva de los Arcos
Behind the Costa Blanca, only a few kilometres from the busy beaches of El Campello and the high-rises of Benidorm, the land climbs steeply into limestone mountains that feel surprisingly wild. The Cabeçó d'Or, a jagged massif above the village of Busot, dominates the area, and its slopes are riddled with caves and shelters. The Cueva de los Arcos is one of the sites in this area included in the World Heritage inscription of the rock art of the Mediterranean Basin, with faint painted motifs on the rock. Nearby, the Cuevas del Canelobre, a huge cave with towering stalactites, is open for visits and is one of the most impressive show caves in the region.
Read the complete Cueva de los Arcos write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Cueva de los Arcos is where the day begins. Next is Barranc de frainos- Abric I.
2. Barranc de frainos- Abric I
The mountains behind Benidorm are a world away from the high-rise hotels and the beaches. Inland from the Costa Blanca, the land rises quickly into a jumble of limestone ridges, the highest of which, the Serra d'Aitana, reaches over fifteen hundred metres, the roof of the province of Alicante. Between Sella, Benilloba and Relleu, deep in this rugged country, the Barranc de Frainos holds a rock shelter with prehistoric paintings, part of the UNESCO listing of Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula. The sites here are small and fragile, and access is usually limited to guided visits, but the landscape is worth the journey.
Read the complete Barranc de frainos- Abric I write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Barranc de frainos- Abric I comes up 30 km in. Next is Cova Llarga.
3. 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
59 km in you reach Cova Llarga. Next is Barranc de mastec.
4. 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, about halfway. Next is back through Cova Llarga.
5. 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 sits at 118 km, about halfway. Next is back through Barranc de frainos- Abric I.
6. back through Barranc de frainos- Abric I
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Barranc de frainos- 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 Barranc de frainos- Abric I comes up 148 km in. Next is Cueva de los Arcos.
7. Cueva de los Arcos
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Cueva de los Arcos write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Cueva de los Arcos closes the day.
Leg by leg
Cueva de los Arcos to Barranc de frainos- Abric I
Cueva de los Arcos → Barranc de frainos- Abric I is 39 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc de frainos- Abric I to Cova Llarga
Barranc de frainos- Abric I → Cova Llarga is 26 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Cova Llarga to Barranc de mastec
Cova Llarga → Barranc de mastec is 24 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc de mastec to back through Cova Llarga
Barranc de mastec → back through Cova Llarga is 24 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Cova Llarga to back through Barranc de frainos- Abric I
back through Cova Llarga → back through Barranc de frainos- Abric I is 26 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Barranc de frainos- Abric I to Cueva de los Arcos
back through Barranc de frainos- Abric I → Cueva de los Arcos is 39 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.