The climbs of the sierra nevada
The climbs of the Sierra Nevada may not be the most well known, but they are undoubtedly some of the best in Spain if not Europe. Most people look to the roads of Mallorca, Gran Canaria, and Girona for their next cycling holiday/training camp. While these are all great options, the Sierra Nevada matches and even outdoes each of the aforementioned. Why is this? Take Mallorca, for example, a major destination for cyclists looking to escape to nice weather and roads. While the roads are well surfaced in Mallorca they are much busier, with both cyclists and vehicles, than the roads here in the Sierra Nevada.
Girona is closer to Sierra Nevada in terms of quieter roads but doesn’t have the same selection of climbs. Girona is also much further north, and as a result, has poor weather each year from October to April. We are lucky that we're only 10km from the coast of the Costa Tropical which boasts the mildest winter climate in mainland Europe. Girona is small city and it takes at least 20mins to ride into the countryside whereas with CSN we're based in a village in the countryside so there's no time wasted contending with traffic.
There are no shortage of exceptional climbs in Europe, but even then, many aren't rideable all year-round. With the exception of the Pico Veleta (Europe's highest paved road), all of the climbs we have come to love here can be ridden throughout the year. It's not by chance that a significant number of pro cyclists choose the Sierra Nevada as a base for their training camps.
Furthermore, all of the climbs listed below, with the exception of one, are within cycling distance of our base.
THE GOAT'S PATH - 36km/1304m
This is probably the most spectacular climb in the area. With 36 kilometres of steady gradient, the climb tops out at 1,358 meters above sea level.
This is the old road from the coast to Granada city, locally named La Carretera de la Cabra or The Goat's Path. In the past, the road was used by mule drivers taking fish from the coast to the markets in Granada city, taking almost two days and traversing the mountain at night to avoid the daytime sun.
Haza del Lino (La Rabita) - 26.4km/1259M
Starting in the sleepy seaside village of La Rábita. The village was once of significant strategic importance for the ruling Nasrid dynasty and the kingdom of Granada. In later years the village developed as a fishing port as well as exporting wine, raisins, almonds, figs, beans and chestnuts, which were the produce of the surrounding villages in the local Alpujarra region.
Starting from La Rábita provides you with the longest side to Haza del Lino, with a total of 1259m climbed in the space of 26.4 km. This is quite a steady climb, with a great surface and an average gradient of 5% keeping you company as you wind yourself up the mountain.
Cáñar - 8.3KM/566m
Starting in the always interesting Órgiva, this climb must be counted as one of the most beautiful around. After leaving the town, you quickly lose count of the number of hairpins you've gone around as you climb up towards Cáñar.
This climb is steep, but excellently surfaced, with sections above 15% commonplace. Once you find your rhythm on this climb it really becomes a joy to ride. The views down onto Órgiva and the valley and mountains surrounding it are especially stunning on a sunny day.
This 8.3km climb is sure to make you smile, the switchbacks reminiscent of Italy's infamous Stelvio climb.
Los Guájares - 14.2km/710m
One of the closest climbs to our base here in Velez de Benaudalla, the Los Guájares climb is also one of the nicest around.
The first 6 km up to the lovely little village of Guájar-Faragüit are rolling, with an easy gradient up until the right turn in the village, where the gradient increases. If you want to stop for coffee on the way up, a cafe sits just on the right turn in Guájar-Faragüit. The road surface is fantastic the whole way up, and while grades of 10% are commonplace for the last 8km, the road certainly doesn't feel as steep as this.
The Mines Climb - 13.2km/845m
Starting just outside Torvizcon and finishing near Busquístar, this 13.2km climb is far from easy. The first 10km are relentless, hovering around 5-7%. There are 200m of downhill at kilometer 10 before you head into the last three steep kilometers of the climb. These last kilometers maintain a gradient of 10%
The road is well surfaced and traffic is minimal. As you climb up in the direction of one of Spain's highest villages- Trevelez, the views never disappoint, as the mountains of the Alpujarras rise up around you. As you reach the last section of the climb look out for the mines on your right hand side.
Trevelez - 34km/1007m
Trevelez, resting at 1,486 metres above sea level, is one of the highest villages in Spain. The village is famous for the quality of its air-cured Iberian hams. Because of the cooler climate- due to the altitude and the village's position within a gorge; conditions for curing ham are ideal.
This approach from Órgiva is 34km in length. While long, Órgiva to Trevelez is not a hard road by any means. Gradients are relaxed the whole way up, not to mention the frequent sections of flat or downhill which provide excellent recovery. Once you find your rhythm you can really relax and take in the views of the valley floor below you.
La Contraviesa - 10.2km/624m
Starting in the old Roman village of Torvizcon, this climb is a tough one. A steep climb with sharp hairpins, be advised to take care if descending down this road. Averaging 6%, but with multiple sections of over 15%, this is a hard climb for even the fittest.
As you ascend this road the views are second-to-none, looking up the road your eyes are met with stunning views of the back of the Sierra Nevada. In spring, this climb is particularly beautiful, with almond trees and their pink blossoms starting to spread from the lower slopes making their own way up the mountain day by day as the warmth of spring grows.
Sierra De Lujar - 28.7km/1825m
You can approach Sierra Lujar from a number of directions, such as from Orgiva or Castell de Ferro, but the approach coming from the Castell de Ferro stunning. This 28.7 km climb, averaging 6%, was a feature in Roadtripping Sierra Nevada, where Szymon beautifully described it:
"There is one place here that I keep thinking about — the antennas at the top of Sierra de Lujar. I haven’t spotted a road leading to them, so we haven’t yet made an approach. I ask locals how to get to them but they’re not sure if it is possible at all by car, let alone by bike. It seems that nobody goes there, but surely there must at least be an access path leading to them. Eventually we find an old, narrow road full of holes. Looks like an adventure, and a challenging one at that."
Polopos - 17km/1280m
Another approach to Haza del Lino, the hairpins of this climb from the coast are a real spectacle.
Starting in the the ironically named village of La Guapa (The Pretty One). Ironic as the village is far from pretty, but as you climb the view improves a lot. This route up to Haza del Lino is an unforgiving one, averaging a gradient of 7% for almost 17km. The first couple of kilometers are quite steep, but as you leave The Pretty One behind the gradient eases and the views improve.
Pico De Veleta 43km/2700m
At 3,398 (11,148 ft) metres above sea level the Pico Veleta is Europe's highest paved road and consequently Europe's highest cycling climb. The meaning of the name literally translates as Pico or peak and Veleta meaning "weather vane", the name will perhaps take on a greater resonance as you approach the top.
The climb starts just outside of the city of Granada at 750m and arrives at the summit of 3398m some 43km later.
Haza del lino (CASTELL DE FERRO) - 22.4km/1,280m
A great place to stop for a coffee beside the sea, the little village of Castell de Ferro (Castle of Iron) is the perfect start for the 22.4km climb up to Haza del Lino. This is not an easy climb by any means, so ensure you’ve taken on some food and filled up your bidons in Castell de Ferro before you start heading up this glorious mountain.
Alcazar (Gravel Climb) - 12.6km/1,046m
Starting near Torvizcón, the first 2km of this climb are surfaced with tarmac, giving you the perfect run-up to the rougher, and more rewarding gravel section to the remote Alcazar. This route features some steep uphills but also plenty of downhill.
The gravel is of a kind that requires concentration but not so bad that you can't look around and soak in the wonderful views of this road. If you are unlucky enough to puncture on some of the larger pieces of gravel, at least the beauty of your surroundings makes a repair here far lesser of a task than normal.
Haza del lino (Orgiva) - 19.2km/1,236m
Though one of the longer approaches to Haza del Lino at 19.2 km, this does not have as many meters climbing as other routes up to the summit. The climb starts at the Seven Eye Bridge in Órigiva, giving you the chance to ride up the other side of the mountain to many of the other approaches that start on the coast.
The gradient is quite relaxed at 5% and has a number of flats as well as a kilometer downhill at 12 kilometers in, again making the climb a little easier.
Carretera de Itrabo - 10.4km/545m
Starting just above Albuñuelas, this gravel climb is one of the nicest around. Albuñuelas has some nice panaderias, bars and cafes, should you want to relax in the sun before you make your way on to the Carretera de Itrabo. Albuñuelas has an interesting history, one notable point being; at Christmas in 1884, 500 homes were partially destroyed by an earthquake there.
The Hill of the Gangs - 11.4km/666m
Starting along the coast, "The Hill of the Gangs", is a difficult 11km climb. Sitting midway between Nerja and Almuñécar, this climb winds up the side of the Sierra de Tejeda. With multiple ramps of over 20%, remember to start off at a steady pace. With these gruelingly steep pitches,come some welcome sections of recovery. The last kilometer of the climb to El Rescate flattens out for an easy conclusion. There are no notable places to stop along this climb for food, so fill up your bidons before you start climbing.
PEÑA ESCRITA - 11.6km/1029m
A brutal climb to say the least, this road up to the now-closed zoo of Pena Escrita, is unforgiving, steep, and roughly surfaced. Starting outside the coastal town of Almuñécar this 11km road rises up towards the Sierre Tejeda National Park, and finishes at the entrance to the once lively zoo.
Constant pitches of over 15% lie before you as you leave Almuñécar; the first 3km providing the only real sections of recovery, before steepening for the last 8km.
Length of climb - 3.0km - Summit elevation - 1,095M
Length of climb - 7.3km - Summit elevation - 1,662M
Length of climb - 15.6km - Elevation gain - 1,058M