We fancied exploring the hinterland around Alcoy for a few days – somewhere that had always seemed too long a drive for a day trip from the coast. We based ourselves in the natural park in the Serra de Mariola, a 1000m plateau between Alcoy and Ontinyent.

First foray was to Barranc de L’Avern, in the company of Mike and Heidi. Interesting featured rock (much more solid than first impressions suggest) in an impressive twisting gorge, only a little spoilt by the road buzzing through it.