Calp - Port of Confrides (Guadalest) _-_Port of Tudons (Alcoleja) - Calp

🚴‍♀️ From Sea to Clouds

A climbing classic through the Sierra de Aitana to the Puerto de Tudons

 

ℹ️ Cycling Info

📏 Distance: ± 127 km
📈 Elevation gain: ± 2,800 hm
⏱️ Ride time: 6 – 8 hours (depending on pace & stops)
⭐ Difficulty level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – very hard, for experienced cyclists only
📍 Start & finish: Calpe

A true climbing classic where you climb from sea level to over 1,000 meters. Long climbs, quiet mountain roads, technical descents, and spectacular panoramas make this an unforgettable challenge. Here, not only strength counts, but also pacing, nutrition, and character 💪⛰️.

 

🗺️ Route Description

🌊 1. Warming up along the Mediterranean Sea – Calpe → Altea

You start in Calpe, with the iconic Peñón de Ifach as an impressive guardian 🪨. You roll along the coastal road towards Altea, a beautiful white village where the sea and mountains meet.

Just outside Altea, you pass an unexpected gem: the Russian Orthodox Church of Archangel Michael 🕍, with its golden domes sparkling in the sunlight – a guaranteed photo opportunity 📸.

Through Altea la Vella, the landscape begins to tilt slowly: the prelude to what is to come.

🍊 2. First serious climb – Callosa d’en Sarrià → Guadalest

Between orange groves, you cycle inland. Then the first real test starts:

⛰️ Climb to Guadalest
📏 ± 6.5 km | 📈 5–6%

The road winds up past the waterfalls of Algar 💧. The higher you climb, the more impressive the view becomes: the turquoise reservoir of Guadalest appears below you, with the spectacularly located castle and village above 🏰.

🌲 3. Into the mountains – Benimantell → Puerto de Confrides

After a short descent to Benimantell, the next difficult block begins:

⛰️ Puerto de Confrides
📏 ± 8 km | 📈 6–7% | 🏔️ summit ± 960 m

You climb through pine forests, along rock faces and deep ravines of the Sierra de Serrella 🌲🪨. The silence is deafening, the landscape pure and rugged. Upon reaching the top, a grand panorama opens up over the Sierra de Aitana.

⬇️ 4. Breathe & steer – Descent to Penàguila

Through Benasau, a long, flowing descent follows. The road is fast, technical, and beautiful. Use this moment to eat 🍌 and mentally prepare yourself… because the queen stage awaits.

👑 5. The ultimate test – Puerto de Tudons (from Alcoleja)

This is where the ride becomes legendary:

⛰️ Puerto de Tudons
📏 6.9 km | 📈 5.8% | 🏔️ summit 1,024 m

A constant, honest climb through pine forests 🌲 and bare rock faces. No extreme gradients, but the length and fatigue make it hard. Finding your rhythm is crucial.

At the top of the pass awaits the highest point of the day – and a view that makes it all worthwhile. On clear days, you can even see the Mediterranean Sea sparkling in the distance 🌊✨.

🌀 6. Technical enjoyment – Tudons → Relleu → Finestrat

The descent to Relleu is spectacular: hairpins, cliffs, and deep views 😍. Then you ride towards Finestrat, with the imposing Puig Campana ⛰️ to your left, one of the most striking mountains in the region.

Slowly you feel the warm sea breeze returning.

🌅 7. Relaxing finale – Back along the coast to Calpe

Through L’Alfàs del Pi and again Altea, you roll back along the coast. The sun slowly sets, the sea sparkles, and your legs turn empty but satisfied out 🚴‍♀️🌊.

Calpe comes into view again – mission accomplished.

 

🌟 Highlights

🏔️ Puerto de Tudons (1,024 m) – iconic queen stage
🏰 Guadalest – fairy tale village with reservoir
🌲 Puerto de Confrides – rugged, quiet, and pure mountain biking
🕍 Orthodox Church of Altea – unexpected beauty
🌅 Coastal Finale – relaxed rolling out after heroics

 

💡 Tips

💧 Carry enough water & food – long remote sections

🧥 Bring a wind jacket – it can be chilly on top of Tudons

⚙️ Compact or light gear combination recommended

🕗 Start early – heat and distance demand respect

📸 Plan short stops – the views are too beautiful to ride past

 

🏁 Conclusion

This ride is pure cycling poetry.
From sea to mountain pass, from citrus orchards to bare rock faces — every kilometer breathes character and challenge. 🌄🚴‍♀️

 

👉 A must-do for every climber on the Costa Blanca.
Not just a ride, but a heroic experience that you'll remember for a long time.