C - La Fustera - La Vall d'Ebo - Alto de Alcalà de la Jovada - Puerto de Tollos - Sa Creueta - C

👑 The Great Costa Blanca Monument: The Vall d'Ebo and Tollos Marathon

For the true climbing goats who do not shy away from any challenge: this is the absolute masterpiece of the region! This epic journey takes you through the most spectacular valleys and over the toughest passes of the region. It is a ride that blurs the line between suffering and pure enjoyment. A grand adventure full of iconic hairpin turns, deserted plateaus, and unforgettable views. Ideal for taking a group along for an unforgettable day in the saddle! 🚴‍♂️🔥

📊 Ride Details & Difficulty Level

Distance: 160 km 📏

Elevation Gain: approx. 3200 m 🏔️

Surface: The legendary, smooth Spanish asphalt 🏎️

Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Out of category! 160 km and 3200 m require an ironclad condition and excellent endurance)

🗺️ Route Description

We click in at the coast in Calp and use the first smooth kilometers along the water to get into the rhythm. 🌊 Soon we turn inland for the perfect warm-up climb of La Fustera. Through Benissa, Llíber, and Pedreguer, we smoothly roll through the green valleys. We pass the picturesque villages of Beniarbeig, Sanet y Negrals, and El Ràfol d'Almúnia. As we approach Sagra, it's time to get serious.

Here begins the first grand spectacle: the magnificent climb of La Vall d'Ebo! 📈 The whitewashed walls and perfect hairpin turns bring us to the heart of the valley, where we cross the small mountain village of the same name. Almost immediately follows the next challenge with the climb to the Alto de Alcalà de la Jovada, after which we roll over the beautiful, quiet plateau of La Vall d'Alcalà. 🦅

The elevation gain keeps piling up relentlessly. We conquer the long slopes of the Puerto de Tollos. Once at the top, we zoom through Tollos and enter a beautiful and deserted area. In utmost peace, we pass the authentic mountain villages of Benimassot, Balones, Gorga, Quatretondeta, Facheca, and Famorca. 🏘️

After a passage in Castell de Castells, the last noteworthy climb of the day appears: Sa Creueta ⛰️. With burning legs, we hoist ourselves over this pass to then land in a dream of a descent. Via the spectacular winding roads of Tàrbena and Bolulla, we fly down towards Callosa d'en Sarrià.

We round off the mountains via Altea la Vella and pick up the familiar coastline again. With the sparkling sea by our side, we squeeze out the very last bits of energy in our legs during the flat final kilometers back to the well-deserved finish in Calp. 🏁

✨ Highlights

🌀 Climb La Vall d'Ebo: One of the most beautiful and photographed climbs of the Costa Blanca, with an incredibly beautiful rhythm in the turns.

🦅 The Abandoned Valleys: From Alcalà de la Jovada to Castell de Castells, you cycle for hours through pure peace and unspoiled mountain nature.

⛰️ The Puerto de Tollos: A tough challenge that seriously tests endurance deep into the ride.

🎢 Sa Creueta & The Long Descent: The last heavy hurdle, rewarded with a magnificent, kilometers-long drop to the coast where you can enjoy 'free speed'.

💡 Tips for the Road

Iron Pacing: Don’t start the Vall d'Ebo too enthusiastically. In this ride, true exhaustion only begins after the first 100 kilometers. Keep your heart rate strictly under control and save strength for Sa Creueta! 🐌

Nutrition & Hydration: With 3200 meters of elevation, the burn is huge. Refill bottles at every opportunity in the villages (look for the taps with agua potable) and keep eating continuously. 🍌

Climbing Gear: Make sure to have a cassette with enough reserve. A 34-32 or 34-30 is not a luxury to maintain smoothness on the uneven stretches. ⚙️

Conclusion

This is not just an ordinary cycling tour; this is an achievement of monumental proportions! These 160 kilometers with 3200 meters of elevation connect the absolute crown jewels of the Costa Blanca. Anyone who completes this monster ride can rightfully call themselves a king of the climbs. As the click pedals release in Calp, it’s time to fully enjoy the triumph. That ice-cold cerveza and a gigantic plate of paella on the terrace are doubly and thoroughly earned today! 🍻💪