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CollDERATES

Probably the most famous climb in the area, rising high above the small town of Parcent.

The straight road south of Parcent, rises as it rounds the first bend. The smooth road with its steady 5% gradient twists and turns until km 3.5 when the road kicks up to to 8%. The views down the valley and out to sea are simply stunning. 

The gradient eases with 2km to go before the final bend at 300m to the summit, from which you are rewarded of fantastic views of Tarbena.

 

VALLDEEBO

Undoubtebly one of the 'must do' climbs in the area, Vall de Ebo featured in the 2016 Vuelta a España epic penultimate stage.​ This climb is also regularly used by the pro's during their training camps to test their early season form.

The climb starts at beginning of he CV712 at the junction with the CV715 south of the town of Pego.​ The early twists and steep gradients through pine forest during the first 2km soon give way to wide expansive views of the coast and a kinder gradient of 5% with a little breather half way up.

The road climbs steadily in big arcs around the mountside until it reaches its peak of 520m just before the donkey sanctuary.

 

Coll de Rates
Vall de Ebo

CUMBREDELSOL

A short but brutal climb used twice on the finish of stage 9 of the 2015 and 2017 Vuelta a España.

The 19% ramp that marks the start of the climb appears in front of you like a wall. After grinding your way up this first 500m there is a small section of flat. As the road rises again to 14% you can try to enjoy views across the Mediterranean sea to Calpe on your right. You'll reach a roundabout, take the last exit then the second left 700m from this roundabout.  You'll know you're on the correct road, not just due to the unrelenting gradient but you're following the names of some of the worlds best climbers painted on the road. After the last bend, the last 500m metres to the summit continue at this steep gradient. 

 

Approach this climb with extreme caution - it's very, very tough and not for the faint hearted.

VALLDEGALLINERA

This stunningly beautiful climb starts on the CV700 west of Pego, just before the small town of Adsubia.  The gentle gradient on the lower section varies between 1-3% with the rare section of 5%. There's even a few flat sections to give you a breather and enjoy the mountain views to the left and across the valley to the right.

The climb makes its way through the picturesque small towns of Beniali and Benissiva where their typically Spanish bars and cafes make an ideal coffee stop.

Just after 16km, the elevation increases to an average of almost 5%, before levelling out at the summit just before the junction of the CV700 and CV712.

 

Cumbre del Sol
Vall de Gallinera

PORTDEBERNIA(XALÓ)

The striking edifice of Serra de Bernia dominates the landscape of the local area. The steep ridge line rises to 1128m high above Calpe separating the Marina Alta from the Marina Baja.

This ascent starts in the  market town of Jalon/Xalo on the CV749, up through the picturesque vineyards and the village of Masserof.  This first 4km of the climb averages at around 5-6%.

The road levels out and there's even some downhill during the next 2km section, until the road starts to climb and twist again for the following 3km.  If you descend the other side through Pinos, take care as the road is twisty,  steep and the surface isn't great, but the views of Calpe are fantastic.

PORTDECONFRIDES

Featured in the 2019 Vuelta España, this long but gentle climb starts where the CV755 crosses the Rio Guadalest, next to the motorbike museum and restaurant El Riu.

The climb begins with a twisting ascent through the pine forest, before reaching the historical town of El Castell de Guadalest with its beautiful castle of L'Alcozaiba which teeters on the cliff edge high above the town. 

Continuing on, the climb joins  the CV70 passed town of Confrides at 785m before for the final push to the summit at 962m.

 

PORTDeSACREUETA

Forming part of the Coll de Rates loop, popular with all riders in the area, this climb (also known as Coll de Bixauca), starts just above the town of Tarbena.  Heading up a a gentle gradient, the terracing and edifice of Serra de Bernia provide an incredible backdrop.  The gradient then eases, with some ups and downs before the final steep 13% ramp  to the summit.

 If descending the other side to Castells de Castells, take extreme caution on the tight s-bends.

Port de Bernia
Port de Confrides
Port de sa Creueta

PORTDEBERNIA(ALTEA)

A new road surfaced in 2020 for the Queen stage of the Volta Communitat Valenciana.  One of the hardest climbs in Spain with an average gradient of 12% over 5km.

The climb begins on a small turning off the road between Altea La Vella and Callosa d'en Sarria . The smooth black asphalt and gentle gradients on the lower part of the climb, soon ramp at the 2km mark where they continue to rise to 23% in the final 500m where the road turns to concrete.  At an maximum the altitude of 624m the views of the coastline to the south are incredible.  The climb needs to be re-traced on the descent - take care, it's very steep!

 

Port de Bernia (Altea)

PlADePETRACOS

Resurfaced in December 2018, this 5km climb, formerly just a narrow track, connects the Jalón Valley and Vall d'Ebo.  This climb starts gently with incredible views of the caves above which house paintings dating back 8,000 years.

The new narrow strip of asphalt works it way up a couple of steep ramps with a maximum gradient of 10%, however the climb includes sections of respite, resulting in an average gradient of just 3%.  Careful on the way down to Vall d'Ebo pueblo, there are some sharp bends and often gravel in the road.

Pla de Petracos

PORTDETUDONS(RELLEU)

The longest climb forming part of our Magnificent 7 ride, this 14km climb of the Port de Tudons from Relleu is spectacular.

Despite the rough surface on the first section, this was actually used as a descent in the Queen stage of the 2016 Vuelta. At km9 the climb joins the main road up to the summit of the Port de Tudons, one of the peaks in the area reaching over 1,000m. The gradient in these last 6km steepens, only one hairpin exceeds 10%, the majority of climbing in this last section is around 6%.making for one of the longest and most enjoyable climbs in the area.

 

Port de Tudons
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