Gran Fondo Routes in the Costa Tropical
We often get questions about bigger rides in our area. We are located right at the border of the Granada and Málaga province, so we've made a shortlist of some of our favorite routes that start end end at our cycling café. The routes are build with Strava so you can easily add or download them so you won't get lost. Are you ready for some proper climbing? Here we go!
Canillas de Aceituno
124km | 1936hm
Strava Route
This is a great ride that starts relatively flat along the coast, where you head towards Velez-Málaga. The traffic along the coast during summer months can be quite busy, but once you turn right towards the first climb you'll find yourself on empty roads. The small town of Canillas de Aceituno has a fountain in the center where you can fuel up, and there are several bars and cafés where you can drink a Coke and prepare yourself for the second part of the ride. By now, you have done most of the climbing, but there are still a couple of short ramps left. After you've reached Competa, it's mostly a rewarding descent back to the coast where you make a left turn to return to Coche Coche.
Lanjarón
115km | 1697hm
Strava Route
A beautiful ride up to Lanjarón where you ride through the gorge of Vélez de Benaudalla with impressive steep cliffs on each side, and all the way up to Órgiva, and direction Lanjarón. If you need to stop halfway, the best place to fuel up is La Casita de Papel, which also has a water fountain next to it. From here, it's mostly cruising downhill all the way back to the coast, where you make a right turn towards Coche Coche.
Rubite
130km | 2372hm
Strava Route
The climb up to Rubite is around 12,5km long and is taking you from 170m up to 1025m. It has some nice steeper parts so expect to work hard on this one. Make sure you bring enough water with you, it's hard to tell when the café in Rubite is open. On the way down you'll pass Órgiva on the right, where you can cross the bridge and fuel up in one of the first cafés you'll see. Or you can continue the route towards Vélez de Benaudalla which has several cafés (and water fountains) that are always open.
Pinos del Valle
108km | 1783hm
Strava Route
One of our favorites rides is up to Pinos del Valle. You'll start at the café heading towards Salobreña, where you make a left turn into the gorge of Vélez de Benaudalla. Halfway you make another left turn, crossing the bridge, to climb up to Guájar-Faragüit, and from there further up to the top (another 7,5km of 6,6% average). After the descent you can stop at Bar Venecia in Pinos de Valle. There are water fountains in Guájar-Faragüit and Pinos de Valle where you can fuel up during the ride.
El Padul
137km | 2476hm
Strava Route
This one takes you up the famous Cabra climb, which from Almuñecar, is more or less 22km to the top. Here you can refuel at Meson Los Prados, or continue into the valley towards El Padul, where you'll pass plenty of small towns like Dúrcal and Lecrín where you can stop.
Boquete de Zafarraya
169km | 2900hm
Strava Route
If you're looking for a big day out, the Zafarraya loop might be just what you're looking for. Since this is a loop, you can decide which direction you take. Starting with the big Cabra climb from Almuñecar, or spend the first hour along the coast direction Vélez-Málaga.