The best road cycling routes around Sueca

El convent d'Aigües Vives, també anomenat Reial Monestir de Santa Maria d'Aigües Vives, és un antic monestir amb orígens que es remunten al segle XIII. L'edifici actual es va construir durant els segles XVI i XVII, amb els corresponents estils, renaixentista i barroc, si bé l'ala nord es va acabar en el segle XVIII. El monestir va pertànyer a l'orde dels agustins, orde que custodiava la imatge de la Mare de Déu d'Aigües Vives, patrona de la ciutat de La Barraca d'Aigües Vives. A mitjan segle XIX, a conseqüència de la desamortització de Mendizábal, els monjos hagueren d'abandonar el cenobi. Aquest va passar a mans dels barons de Casanova, que el destinaren com a habitatge rural. L'any 1977 el monestir fou adquirit i reformat per a destinar-lo a hotel residència per Antonio Vidal Bellver (fotògraf i empresari de Carcaixent). Actualment és propietat d'un empresari hoteler de Gandia. El 2024, la Generalitat Valenciana va instar els nous propietaris a fer obres per a mantenir aquesta obra major que ha patit un deteriorament progressiu com a conseqüència de robatoris, vandalisme i abandonament.

The port of Barx is a Valencian classic. Its horseshoe bends run over the panorama of the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean coast.

Mareny Barraquetes (in Valencian and officially, Mareny de Barraquetes) is a minor local entity of the Valencian Community, Spain, belonging to the province of Valencia. Formerly a district of the municipality of Sueca, since 1999 it has been an entity of territorial scope below the municipality (EATIM) belonging to said municipal term. Mareny de Barraquetes is located in the heart of the Albufera natural park and next to the sea. The nearest towns are Sueca 7 km (kilometers) away, 28 km from Valencia and 9 km from Cullera. Its toponym mareny means ‘marshland’, that is, an area very close to the sea and easily flooded. For its part, the term barraquetes indicates the type of habitat that was frequent throughout the area, huts built with reeds and mud, materials from the marshes and the dune cordon. The historical origin of the first human settlements in this area dates back to the period of Roman domination, when the Phocaean colonies were established near Sicania, with El Mareny de Barraquetes being one of them. It survived through the centuries, as an alquería, thus reaching the first historical antecedents, which are found in the first census of inhabitants that was made in Sueca in 1795, by governmental order for the preparation of the conscription, as Spain was at war against Revolutionary France of the Directory (1793-1795). Likewise, until the 1845 census, we do not have a specific list of residents from El Mareny, with nine huts. Its inhabitants are mainly engaged in agriculture. In the last century, the population nucleus based its economy mainly on fishing. There were three fishing settlements where families lived who were dedicated to freshwater fishing (in the canals coming from the Júcar). Until recently, there was a fishing settlement where this work continued, but with modern facilities.

The wonderful setting surrounds a fairytale monastery.

Overview along the coast to Denia

The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Valldigna was founded by James II the Just on March 15, 1298, who gave the Alfàndec valley to Abbot Bononat of Vila-seca to found a monastery of the Cistercian order, a branch of the Santes Creus monastery. It was the first monastery of such importance built in the ancient Kingdom of Valencia, after the Christian conquest. Days after the royal donation, James II, brother Bononat and his entourage met at the place of Ràfol (a Christian village in the valley founded after the conquest of James I) to take possession of the territory, plus one mile inland, the castles of Marinyén, Alcalà and the tower of Mondúber.

"This is the exact point where the bike wants to fly... but the view forces you to brake. Serra de les Agulles in the background and Santa Maria de la Valldigna below. A rewarding descent!" Then, refocus as the road twists and turns just beyond with a double bend that demands your attention and puts your brakes to the test.

The "Col de Rates de la Safor" The Barx Pass, from Simat, is a gem for any cycling enthusiast. A climb that perfectly combines effort with the beauty of the surroundings. Each curve offers a new perspective of the Valldigna Valley, while the monastery remains behind as a silent witness to the ascent. Frequently used by local cyclists, it's an ideal stretch to enjoy at a leisurely pace, feeling each pedal stroke amidst nature and heritage. With several well-defined hairpin bends and a steady but manageable gradient, it's perfect for enjoying the effort without suffering too much. Pass details: 6.3 km | 301 m elevation gain | average gradient of 4.8% | ramps of up to 9.8%.