Why this ride
A 266 km round trip from Altea - roughly 5 h 13 in the saddle. On the way it passes Barranc de la fita-Abric V, Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l, Port de Confrides- Abric I and back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Penya del Vicari and Port de Confrides- Abric I
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 266 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 5 h 13
- 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. Penya del Vicari
On a map of the Costa Blanca, the Serra de Bernia looks like a wall dropped between two very different worlds. On one side, high-rise Benidorm and the busy coast; on the other, the quiet valleys of Jalón and Guadalest. The Penya del Vicari is one of the rocky outcrops in these hills above Altea and Calp, a place where the limestone is cut by caves and shelters, some of which carry traces of prehistoric painting. It is a small, quiet site in an area otherwise famous for sun loungers.
Read the complete Penya del Vicari write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Penya del Vicari is where the day begins. Next is Barranc de la fita-Abric V.
2. Barranc de la fita-Abric V
If you came here in February, you would find the slopes above Castell de Castells covered in almond blossom, white and pale pink against the grey rock. In April, the cherry trees follow. By June, the almonds and the first cherries are being harvested, the heat settles in, and the shelters in the ravine give welcome shade. By October, the first rains return, the air clears, and the whole valley looks newly washed. The shelter at Barranc de la Fita, Abric V, lies about three kilometres from the village and is a good excuse to see the valley in whichever season you choose.
Read the complete Barranc de la fita-Abric V write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Barranc de la fita-Abric V comes up about 43 km into the recorded legs. Next is Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l.
3. Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l
Castelló de Rugat sits on the southern rim of the Vall d'Albaida, a broad valley in the south of Valencia province hemmed in by mountain ridges. On one side rises the long saw-toothed crest of the Benicadell, on the other the Serra de la Solana, and between them lies a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves and small towns with church towers. The Barranc de les Coves, the ravine of the caves, cuts into the slopes near Castelló de Rugat, Ràfol de Salem and Beniarrés, and its first shelter holds painted figures.
Read the complete Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 81 km into the recorded legs you reach Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l. Next is Port de Confrides- Abric I.
4. Port de Confrides- Abric I
Inland from Benidorm, barely half an hour from the high-rise towers and the beach crowds, the mountains of Alicante rise steeply and the whole mood changes. The Port de Confrides is the saddle on the CV-70 between the Guadalest valley and the upland basin of Confrides and Benasau, with the long limestone wall of the Sierra de Aitana to the south. Aitana, at 1,558 metres, is the highest peak in the province, and on a clear winter morning you can see the sea glittering behind you as you climb.
Read the complete Port de Confrides- Abric I write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Port de Confrides- Abric I, about halfway. Next is back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l.
5. back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l 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 les Coves- Abrigo l sits at 99 km, about halfway. Next is back through Barranc de la fita-Abric V.
6. back through Barranc de la fita-Abric V
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Barranc de la fita-Abric V 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 la fita-Abric V comes up about 223 km into the recorded legs. Next is Penya del Vicari.
7. Penya del Vicari
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Penya del Vicari write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Penya del Vicari closes the day.
Leg by leg
Penya del Vicari to Barranc de la fita-Abric V
Penya del Vicari → Barranc de la fita-Abric V is 43 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc de la fita-Abric V to Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l
Barranc de la fita-Abric V → Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l is 38 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l to Port de Confrides- Abric I
Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l → Port de Confrides- Abric I is 41 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Port de Confrides- Abric I to back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l
Port de Confrides- Abric I → back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l is 63 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l to back through Barranc de la fita-Abric V
back through Barranc de les Coves- Abrigo l → back through Barranc de la fita-Abric V is 38 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Barranc de la fita-Abric V to Penya del Vicari
back through Barranc de la fita-Abric V → Penya del Vicari is 43 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.