Road cycling route from Altea
Cycling the Vall d'Ebo and Coll de Rates
A big day in the quiet interior: 121 km from Altea over the Alt de Tarrenyes, through the limestone gorges of the Vall d'Ebo to Pego, and home over the Coll de Rates. Remote roads and almost no traffic.
120.7 km
The full loop from Altea and back
2,207 m
Total climbing over four climbs
630 m
The high point, at the top of the Coll de Rates
5½ – 6½ h
Riding time at a steady pace, before café stops
The route at a glance
- Distance 120.7 km
- Climbing 2,207 m
- Highest point 630 m
- Time 5½ – 6½ h
Along the coast to Calp, up to Benissa and through the Jalón valley to Parcent. From there a long, gradual climb west over the Alt de Tarrenyes, down into the Vall d'Ebo and over its pass to Pego. Back through Orba to Parcent, then up the Coll de Rates and home through Tàrbena and Callosa.
- Hard
- Remote
- Gorge roads
- Carry supplies
The interior
Limestone, silence and very few cars
North of the Coll de Rates lies some of the emptiest country on the Costa Blanca. The road to the Alt de Tarrenyes climbs gradually for about 16 km from Parcent, steepening over the last five, to around 590 m. Then it drops into the Vall d'Ebo, a small village in a bowl of bare limestone.
A short climb of about 3.5 km takes you out of the valley to the Vall d'Ebo pass, at around 540 m. Then comes the reward: a long, winding descent of about 450 m through the gorge country down to Pego, on the edge of the coastal plain.
The finish
Coll de Rates with 90 km in your legs
From Pego the route turns back south through Orba and climbs gently up the valley to Parcent. There it takes on the Coll de Rates: about 6.5 km at around 5% to the pass at 630 m. With 90 km already ridden, it feels very different from the fresh-legged version.
After the top it is mostly downhill: across to Tàrbena, down through Bolulla to Callosa d'en Sarrià, and back to the coast at Altea.
Route notes
Kilometre by kilometre
Distances are taken from the GPX file and rounded. Use them to plan food and water stops, not as turn-by-turn directions.
- km 0 – 21 Altea to Calp along the coast, over the Mascarat headland, then the steady 6 km climb up to Benissa.
- km 21 – 38 Down into the Jalón valley and along it through Xaló to Parcent. Fill your bottles here: the next stretch is remote.
- km 38 – 54 West through Benigembla and the long, gradual climb to the Alt de Tarrenyes, at about 590 m.
- km 54 – 58 Down into the Vall d'Ebo, at about 380 m.
- km 58 – 61 Out of the valley to the Vall d'Ebo pass, at about 540 m.
- km 61 – 70 A long, twisting descent through the gorges to Pego. Cafés and shops in Pego.
- km 70 – 85 Over a short rise and back south through Orba, then gently uphill to Parcent.
- km 85 – 91 The Coll de Rates from Parcent: about 6.5 km at around 5% to the pass at 630 m. Restaurant at the top.
- km 91 – 98 Rolling across the high valley to Tàrbena.
- km 98 – 110 A long descent through Bolulla to Callosa d'en Sarrià. Steep and twisting in places.
- km 110 – 121 Over one last short rise and down to the coast at Altea.
Before you go
Tips for riding it
Carry supplies
The villages between Parcent and Pego are small, and cafés may be closed out of season. Leave Parcent with full bottles and food in your pockets.
Be self-sufficient
This loop goes beyond our delivery area, and the villages are far apart. Carry the spare tube and repair kit that come with the bike, charge your phone, and tell someone your plan before you set off.
Pick your day
Save it for a settled, dry day and start early. In winter the valleys stay cold in the shade until late morning.
Ride it on a proper bike
Which bike for a 120 km day?
The SuperSix EVO 2 is light enough for four climbs and comfortable enough for six hours in the saddle. The SuperSix EVO LAB71 SL has a power meter, which helps you pace a long day. On the Synapse Neo, with 400 Wh of battery and a relaxed endurance position, the full loop becomes manageable for riders who would not normally take on 2,200 m.
Other rides
Build up to it
If this is too much for one day, ride the shorter Coll de Rates loop first: 74 km on the same start and finish. For the highest roads in the province, take on Aitana and the Port de Tudons. Or see all six routes from Altea.
This route was generated by a cycling router along real roads, and the distance, climbing and profile are measured from that line. Treat it as a planning guide: road works, closures and café opening times change with the season. Maps © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Ride the Vall d'Ebo
A bike you can trust a long way from home
Every bike gets a full mechanical service before every rental. Tell us your dates and your height, and we will have it set up and ready at Hotel Cap Negret or delivered to your door.