Climbing the steep road to Alto de Xorret de Cati in Valencia Region
Alto de Xorret de Catí is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.097m (3,599ft) above the sea level, located in the comarca of L'Alcoià, in the province of Alicante, in the Valencia region of Spain.
Where is Xorret de Cati?
Set high in Sierras del Maigmó y del Fraile mountain range, on the southeastern part of the country, the road to the summit is fully paved in fairly good condition, although it is a bit bumpy in places. It’s called CV-817.
How long is Xorret de Cati?
The pass is 20.3 km (12.61 miles) long running from Castalla to Petrer (in the comarca of Vinalopó Mitjà). There is generally very little traffic on the climb, although expect a few cars if you go on a weekend.
Is Xorret de Cati challenging?
This road is notably narrow and possesses extremely steep gradients, with certain sections reaching inclines of 20-22%. This challenging climb has been featured in the Spanish Vuelta a España race and remains accessible year-round. At the summit, there once stood a monument dedicated to cyclists. This sculpture weighed 300 kilograms and measured 175x55x178cm. Remarkably, in May 2023, this hefty sculpture was stolen – a surprising feat considering its substantial weight and dimensions.