Thursday 3rd October 2002
Left home 12.30 p.m. on the Motorway A7 south to Alicante.
Take turn off 64 (it will be different now) to Callosa d’en sarria. Twisty road through fruit growing trees covered with nets – over River Algar. Many Nispros trees. Rising upwards to Callosa de en Sarria. Turn left to Guadalest N3313 Alcoy. You could visit Fuenta del Algar if you turned right here. Mountainous views meandering through a valley.
Stopped for lunch where they sell produce and wines, earthenware dishes and honey on the left 15 mins before Guadalest
Long pretty road through valleys past Confrides. Twists continue higher and higher. Then slow descent. Watch for left turn to Safari Aitana CV770. Up to T junction and turn right. To next T junction and turn right has sign “Mas de Pau” 4 km – watch for Tower on right it is near this. The road bends left but there is an asphalt road straight on. Take this and the hotel is 20 metres on left.
Hotel Mas de Pau in Penaguila was basic – ask for bath. Indoor swimming pool (chilly in October and heavily chlorinated Tennis Court (but was raining) nets need serious attention. Pleasant enough hotel but would not return.
Only 103 km on first day
Friday 4th October
Left hotel 9.30 103 km
Retraced steps back left turn to Benisira Left onto N3313. Past cherry growing area, past turn off to Gorga and Benidoba. Turn off after town right turn Cocentaina 8 km CV790. Undulating hills growing olives and almonds in uniform terraces also cherries and figs. Dropping down to Cocentaina a town on the site of an ancient settlement, overlooked by the stranded stump of its castle, which is a landmark for miles around. The town’s best known building is the Gothic-style palace with an imposing tower at each corner. It was built by the Duke of Cocentaina, of the Medinaceli family, and now houses a public library and museum. The town also has a very good restaurant L’Escaleta.
When you reach Muro de Alcoy turn off for Agres on the A203 (signposted as the C3311) The road follows a small valley planted with olives, almonds and pines. On the left, the Sierra de Mariola is carved into impressive crags. This area is famous for its flora and if you feel like walking through woods and scrub-clad slopes you will see medicinal and culinary herbs – thyme, rosemary, sage, lavender, mint, marjoram, lemon balm as well as rock roses and orchids. The aromatic herbs are used to flavour a local liqueur, herbero, the ingredients of which are an open secret.
Turn off for Agres which tumbles down the mountainside in steep, narrow streets. Head up the hill to the shrine, a pretty spot with a bar-restaurant. Above the shrine is the walled-in ruins of a castle
Returning to main road turn left for Bocairent through green and grassy countryside, where the lush fields of wheat are dotted with walnut trees. Turn left at the T junction into Bocairent. The medieval quarter of the town clusters around a hill above a ravine which once provided a natural moat.
The unusual location for the town has determined its construction: nothing is on the same level and the bullring has had to be carved out of the rock. Look for the Tourist Office and park outside. See town map and lovely brochure in file. Also many photos in link above.
Follow the road back to Ontiniento through a rocky valley with cave formations – follow the river bed. Go through Ontinento, a modern large town – Bipass CV40 – Albaida – turn off right to Albaida. Do not follow signs to Xativa go into Albaida N340 stay on this road through town. DO NOT GO LEFT TO XATIVA.
Albaida has a remarkable fortress palace and quaint museum. Go through the main archway and beside the church you will find a small, fenced off alleyway, the middle house of which has been inspired by Moorish fantasies. This was the house of artist Jose Segrelles, who was born in Albaida and, having achieved international fame, returned here to shut himself away with only his imagination for company Albaida’s chief industry is candle-making. Albaida’s candles find their way into churches and processions all over Spain.
Continue on to Xativa (great web site) through rather boring flat countryside. Road drops down then through a green and luscious area with houses nestling on the side of the hills. Magnificent view of Xativa Castle walls (lovely photos of castle on the web site).
Stayed the night at the lovely Mont Sant Hotel underneath the castle walls. A lovely room in the eves looking over the town. Spent the evening walking the town and then had a magnificent meal in the hotel.
Saturday 5th October
Visited castle and Xativa town
Brochures and maps in file
Took road to Valencia and Albacete, as you come out of the town there is a small road on the right round a roundabout (not underneath the road) which is CV610 to Gandia immediately left to Gandia – Genoves (Gandia 38km) Through Genoves to Quatratonda then join N320 to Gandia. And home.
A nice short trip!