Climbing the steep road to Alto de Xorret de Cati in Valencia Region
Spain, europe
20.3 km
1,097 m
hard
Year-round
# Alto de Xorret de Catí
Ready for a proper mountain adventure? Head to the Alto de Xorret de Catí, a seriously impressive mountain pass sitting at 1,097 meters (3,599 feet) in Alicante, Spain's Valencia region. You'll find it tucked away in the L'Alcoià area, nestled within the stunning Sierras del Maigmó y del Fraile mountain range.
The 20.3-kilometer (12.61-mile) route runs between Castalla and Petrer and is fully paved—though fair warning, it can get a bit bumpy in spots. The road, known as CV-817, is generally peaceful and quiet, which is lovely unless you're timing it for a weekend, when you might spot a few other drivers enjoying the same stretch.
Now here's where it gets interesting: this isn't your casual scenic drive. The pass is narrow and genuinely steep, with sections hitting 20-22% inclines that'll really test your nerves and your brakes. It's challenging enough that it's earned a place in Spain's famous Vuelta a España cycling race—pretty cool credentials for a regional road.
The summit is accessible year-round, and there's a bit of quirky local history here. There used to be a monument honoring cyclists at the top—a 300-kilogram sculpture measuring 175x55x178cm. Surprisingly, it vanished in May 2023, stolen despite its massive size and weight. A mysterious loss, indeed!
Where is it?
Climbing the steep road to Alto de Xorret de Cati in Valencia Region is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.5571, -4.4194
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 20.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,097 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.5571, -4.4194
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