The city drops away faster than the map suggests. After Valencia come suburbs, irrigation channels and the open huerta, before the route turns drier and hillier. Cheste, Chiva and Buñol mark the shift inland: more rock, more pine trees, fewer cars. Beyond Macastre and Yátova, the riding becomes noticeably tougher, with longer climbs and wide views across ravines and slopes. Cofrentes sits at the end like a natural balcony above the Júcar and Cabriel rivers.
