C - The Castle of Guadalest - Puerto de Confrides (Guadalest) - C

☀️ The Costa Blanca Classic: Along Mountain Peaks, Valleys, and Hidden Castles

Welcome to the cycling paradise of Europe! This epic ride of 136 kilometers is the cream of the crop for any cyclist heading to the Spanish sun. We soon swap the sparkling Mediterranean Sea for the rugged interior of the province of Alicante. With climbs to historic castles, panoramic ridges, and authentic Spanish villages, this is a ride that will stimulate all your senses – and your climbing legs. An unforgettable day in the saddle! 🌴🚴‍♂️

📊 Ride Details & Difficulty

Distance: 136 km 📏

Elevation Gain: approx. 2200 m 🏔️

Surface: The famous smooth Spanish asphalt 🏎️

Condition: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (An absolute heavyweight. 2200 meters of elevation gain spread over long climbs requires top condition)

Technique: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Flowing descents and quite a bit of cornering, enjoyable for the experienced descender)

🗺️ Route Description

We clip in along the coast in the vibrant Calp and steadily pedal warm along the sparkling water towards Altea 🌊. Here we leave the coastline behind and head inland via La Nucia. Soon we are treated to a stunning view of the picturesque Polop.

Via Callosa d'en Sarrià we begin the real work: the climb towards El Castell de Guadalest. This iconic mountain village 🏰, balancing on the rocks, is a beautiful backdrop as we steadily gain elevation. We ride through Guadalest and move directly to the absolute peak of this route: the climb of the Puerto de Confrides. Along Benifato and Confrides, we push ourselves until we reach the summit. 🧗‍♂️

Once at the top, we find ourselves in a desolate, beautiful mountain world. We wave over the high plains and pass a series of authentic villages where time seems to have stood still: Benasau, Gorga, Balones, and Benimassot. 🏘️

Through the beautiful Vall de Seta, we navigate through Facheca and Famorca, after which we set off for a spectacular descent. Via Castell de Castells and Benigembla, we zoom towards Murla. We now enter the well-known Vall de Pop (the Jalon valley), a true cycling hub. We zip through Alcalalí, the lively Xaló 🍇, and Llíber.

The smell of the sea slowly returns. We climb one last time slightly along Benissa and dive back contentedly via the beautiful coastal road of La Fustera to our starting point in Calp. 🏁

✨ Highlights

🏰 El Castell de Guadalest: One of the most beautiful villages in Spain, dramatically situated on a mountaintop.

⛰️ Puerto de Confrides: The longest and toughest challenge of the day, but the views make the pain worth it.

🦅 The High Plains (Vall de Seta): Absolute tranquility, smooth asphalt, and vast nature between Benimassot and Famorca.

🍷 The Vall de Pop (Xaló): The mecca for cyclists in this region, perfect for a quick coffee stop.

💡 Tips for the Road

Hydration is crucial: Even in spring or autumn, the Spanish sun can be merciless in the mountains. Depart with two large water bottles and refill them in the villages (look for public water fountains: agua potable). 💧

Climbing Gear: Make sure to have the right gears. A compact crankset (50/34) with a 32-tooth rear gear is not a luxury for the Puerto de Confrides. ⚙️

Pacing: Don’t let yourself get carried away on the first slopes towards Guadalest. The climb to Confrides is long; save your strength for the second part of the pass! 🐌

Coffee Stop in Xaló: This is the perfect place to take a break at the end of the ride. There are plenty of cyclist cafés where you can rest your legs before heading towards the final stretch to Calp. ☕

Conclusion

The Costa Blanca never disappoints, and this route is the ultimate proof of that. With 136 kilometers and 2200 meters of elevation gain, you conquer some of the most beautiful climbs the region has to offer. The combination of rugged mountain peaks, peaceful valleys, and the Mediterranean coast makes this an absolute queen's ride. A tough challenge, but the tapas and the cerveza in Calp will never taste better! 🍻💪