Road cycling route from Altea
Cycling Aitana and the Port de Tudons
The queen stage of the Costa Blanca: 127 km from Altea over the Port de Tudons at 1,026 m, across the high country towards Alcoi, and back over the Port de Confrides and down through Guadalest. The highest road riding in the province.
126.6 km
The full loop from Altea and back
2,280 m
Total climbing, mostly in two long climbs
11 km
The Port de Tudons from Sella, at around 5.5%
1,026 m
The top of the Port de Tudons, the high point
The route at a glance
- Distance 126.6 km
- Climbing 2,280 m
- Highest point 1,026 m
- Time 6 – 7 h
Inland behind Benidorm past Finestrat to Sella, then over the Port de Tudons to Alcoleja. Across the high country towards Alcoi, then back east and up to the Port de Confrides beneath the Aitana summit. Home down through Confrides, Benimantell and Guadalest, along the Algar valley and back to Altea through Callosa.
- Very hard
- High mountain
- Port de Tudons
- Exposed
The big climb
The Port de Tudons from Sella
Sella sits at about 400 m below the cliffs of the Aitana massif. From the village the road climbs about 11 km to the Port de Tudons at 1,026 m, at an average of around 5.5%. It is long rather than steep: a climb to ride at a steady effort, with the views getting wider all the way to the top.
Aitana itself, at 1,558 m, is the highest summit in the province of Alicante. The road does not go to the top, but on this route you ride higher than anywhere else near the coast.
The second climb
Back over the Port de Confrides
After the high, rolling country towards Alcoi, the route turns east and climbs again: about 11 km at around 4% to the Port de Confrides, at over 950 m, beneath the north side of Aitana. From the top it is almost all downhill for 30 km, through Confrides, Benimantell and Guadalest to the Algar valley.
At 1,000 m it is typically 6 to 7 °C colder than on the coast, more with wind, and the descents are long. Bring a gilet and arm warmers, even on a sunny day.
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 – 15 From Altea inland behind Benidorm, climbing gently to about 330 m.
- km 15 – 25 Rolling roads past Finestrat towards Orxeta, at around 250 m.
- km 25 – 30 Up the valley to Sella, at about 400 m. Last café and water before the big climb.
- km 30 – 41 The Port de Tudons: about 11 km at around 5.5% to 1,026 m, the highest point of the day.
- km 41 – 46 Descend to Alcoleja, at about 700 m.
- km 46 – 75 Across the high, rolling country towards Alcoi, mostly between 550 and 790 m, then down to about 400 m.
- km 75 – 85 Turn back east, rolling and gradually climbing to about 520 m.
- km 85 – 96 The Port de Confrides: about 11 km at around 4% to over 950 m.
- km 96 – 110 A long descent through Confrides and Benimantell to Guadalest. Cafés in all three.
- km 110 – 118 Down past the reservoir to the Algar valley.
- km 118 – 127 Through Callosa d'en Sarrià and back down to the coast at Altea.
Before you go
Tips for riding it
Check the weather up high
Sunshine in Altea does not mean sunshine at 1,000 m. Check the mountain forecast, and in winter ask us about ice and wind before you set off.
Food and water
Stock up in Sella before the Port de Tudons. The high section towards Alcoi is long with few stops, so carry plenty of food.
Start early
At 6 to 7 hours of riding, this is a full day. In midwinter you need an early start to finish in daylight.
Ride it on a proper bike
Which bike for Aitana?
This is the route the SuperSix EVO LAB71 SL was made for: the lightest bike we have, with a power meter to pace two long climbs. The SuperSix EVO 2 handles it comfortably too. With the Synapse Neo, riders who would never normally attempt 2,280 m can ride the Aitana passes. As we say on the booking page, it does not remove the effort; it lets you manage it.
Other rides
Not ready for 127 km?
The last part of this route follows the Guadalest and Algar valley loop, a 50 km ride that gives you a taste of the same mountains. The Coll de Rates loop is the classic middle-distance day. 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 Aitana
The lightest bike for the highest roads
Tell us your dates and your height. We will set the bike up to your position and have it ready at Hotel Cap Negret, or delivered to where you are staying.