Being based in the heart of the mountains, at the southern edge of the Valencia province and the northern tip of the Alicante province, gives us access to more than 50 climbs, inland of Denia, Calpe, Javea and Benidorm, on the sunny Costa Blanca. We’ve previously covered some of our favourite climbs, but what about the best descents? Not every climb rewards the effort of getting to the top with a fantastic descent. Xorret de Cati and Balcon de Alicante are two of the hardest climbs in the region and are regularly used in La Vuelta, but neither offer a good descent if taking the classic side of the climb back down. In fact, both verge on being scary at times, with less than perfect surfaces, very steep gradients and very tight corners. So for this list, we’ve focused on the descents that are an absolute joy to ride. This means having the perfect blend of a great road surface (Sorry Bernia), very little traffic (sorry to Guadalest valley), fantastic scenery from the bottom to the top (sorry Cumbres de Sol) and fast, flowing corners, preferably back down a mountain or through a National Park. Longer is better too. Here’s our list of some of our favourites descents for you to enjoy and explore: Puerto Peregri to Ayora – 14km descent
At the far west of the province lies one of its best descents and a worthy reward for the very long climb to get there. It offers spectacular views of the Sierra Enguera and is almost always devoid of traffic.
Port del Moro to Beneixama
8.5km descent into the village
The easier side to climb, but what a lovely descent. You’ll fly through one linked corner after the next, rarely needing the brakes. It was resurfaced a couple of years ago, offers fantastic views of the Sierra de Beneixama and Valle de Biar and is almost always devoid of traffic. It’s a popular Saturday route for many local club cyclists.
Port Bosquet de Mogente to Moixent
A 12.5km descent when taken from the top of the Portixol
Possibly the prettiest descent in the whole region, with lakes, rivers, castles, distant mountains, limestone peaks, sunflower terraces and spectacular gorge climax. A perfect surface from top to bottom, countless flowing corners and almost always no cars.
Puerto Portixol Ontinyent – 8.5km descent back to the town
The fastest descent that cuts through the Serra Grossa mountains. Stunning views of the Vall d’Albaida, a perfect road surface and an ice cream shop near the bottom.
Port Bocairent to Ontinyent (including Port Alt del Portel) – A 14km descent, from the Serra Mariola Park to the stunning Pou Clar gorge and lakes and into Ontinyent. The only road in this area with any traffic (still much less than anything near the coast), more than mitigated by the wide lanes and an immaculate road surface.
Puerto Paller to Aielo de Malferit
A 9km descent back through Aielo and onto – Ontinyent. A little narrower than the adjacent Portixol, but a little twistier. Which one do you prefer?
Xorret de Cati to Petrer
A 13km descent down to Petrer. It’s fast and flowing with a good surface and set in the stunning Maigmo National Park. Unlike the descent down to Castalla, this one is a joy.
Port Perigri to Enguera
The best descent in the region? It has a few short rises, but for the most part is downhill for nearly 35km, which can be extended to nearly 50km if you keep riding to Xativa.
Puerto Canalis to Onil – 8.5km to Onil on one of the region's classic cols used extensively in La Vuelta and Volta Valencia. Fast, flowing corners, perfect surface and stunning views south into the Alicante region.
Part II – check out part II of this article coming soon
Puerto Ibi to Onil Port Fontanars to Ontinyent Puerto Canalis to Banyeres Font Roja to Alcoy Coll de Rates to Parcent Port de Tudons to Penàguila Puerto Carresqueta to Xixona Port Agres to Muro 8km descent Puerto Confrides to Benilloba Val d’Ebo to Pego Puerto Beniarres
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