I’m finally back in the saddle to make a short 10 day ride in the Spanish regions Valencia & Castilla La Mancha, in the eastern part of Spain.
Starting near Cocentaina (Alicante province), I took the easy way out of town via the Via Verde Del Xixarra. Here, on the northern side of the Sierra de Mariola, the via verde is a rocky affair at first, until I cross the Cv-700 road, after which I’m on deserted little country roads for a while. A bit after passing Bocairent, I’m back on the real via verde, where cars are completely forbidden. I can follow this track all the way to the town Villena.
From Villena, I continued my trip with Charles, who arrived here by plane & train. The intention was to follow the ‘Ruta de la Llana (the Wool Route), a route dating back to before the Middle Ages, used by sheep drovers to travel between high mountain pasture in summer and lower, milder climate areas near the coast in winter.
Soon, we arrived in the next town, Caudete for lunch. After Caudete, I saw the Llana route travelled close to the highway and railway. That’s too noisy, so I found an alternative. This meant climbing over the hill, i.o. through the valley, but it turned out to be a great, quite option over sand and gravel roads. And with good camping options.
More of the typical Spanish country / sandy roads brought us to Almansa, home to a big castle, but a visit will be for next time. Next goal was the touristy little town Alcala del Jucar. It’s sitting atop a rock in a curve of the Rio Jucar. A steep descent and climb, combined with hot temperatures make it a hard day.
Further north, the area became more agricultural. Nothing spectacular, but it’s easy riding, alternated with a small village from time to time.
After passing the Guadazon River, I stay for a while on the paved road Cn-2109.
Almost back at my starting point, I decided to take a hotel for two nights in Xativa. I was exhausted from the heat the last days, wanted / needed a good shower and also wanted to take y time to visit the castle of the town. It sits at a hill, 300 meter above the town. It looks a bit like the Chinese wall when you’re up there. Definitely worth a visit.
Bike-A-Way 
Goed te zien dat je weer op pad bent met de fiets. Knieproblemen opgelost (?) Hilleberg tent vervangen zie ik.
Hans (Q8 Kelissa)
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Hallo Hans,
Hopelijk alles goed met je ?
De grote(re) test volgt binnenkort, met de fiets naar Spanje. De knieën zien vooral af tijdens het kamperen, als je in kleermakerszit aan je tent zit, of op je knieën, of gehurkt. Dus dat wordt opletten.
Ik neem dan ook weer de Nallo 2 mee hoor. Hilleberg blijft superieur, enkel in echt hete omstandigheden verkies ik dat Marmot tentje, omdat die binnentent volledig gaas is. Hilleberg vind ik een heel gedoe om enkel de binnentent op te zetten, en dan nog blijft het te warm.
Heel veel groeten 🙂
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Funny that you too put an importance to beautiful camp spots. Sometimes I think, if I sleep I don’t see where I am, but of course, it’s the time we sit around our tent, and that must be beautiful, I agree.
Do the villages have decent shops out there?
Sierra del Mugrón looks cool! You can really see the curve of the mountain.
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