Location - Carretera de la Cabra

Say hola to Sierra Nevada

The stunningly visual Sierra Nevada area is large and diverse, with fantastic accommodation options among the mountains or down by the sea.

Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada in Andalusia is a fantastic emerging destination for all levels of cyclists. Sunny all year round, the Sierra Nevada accommodates everyone.

Whether you’re a Training Camp enthusiast or just someone who wants a sunny beach holiday with some added cycling, this area is second to none.

Say hola to Sierra Nevada

The stunningly visual Sierra Nevada area is large and diverse, with fantastic accommodation options among the mountains or down by the sea.

The Sierra Nevada in Andalusia is a fantastic emerging destination for all levels of cyclists. Sunny all year round, the Sierra Nevada accommodates everyone.

Whether you’re a Training Camp enthusiast or just someone who wants a sunny beach holiday with some added cycling, this area is second to none.

Carretera de la Cabra

Cyclists, get ready for an exhilarating ride along the famed Carretera de la Cabra in Spain's province of Córdoba. Here's why this mountain route should be on every cyclist's bucket list.

Challenging Terrain

Carretera de la Cabra is renowned for its challenging yet rewarding terrain, offering cyclists a thrilling ascent through the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura, and Las Villas Natural Park. With its steep gradients, tight hairpin turns, and winding roads, this route presents the ultimate test of endurance and skill, making it a favorite among cycling enthusiasts seeking a true challenge.

Spectacular Scenery

As you pedal your way up the Carretera de la Cabra, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and forests. The rugged beauty of the landscape provides a stunning backdrop for your journey, offering plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the scenery or capture unforgettable photos.

Remote Roads

Unlike heavily trafficked routes, Carretera de la Cabra offers cyclists the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature. The quiet, remote roads allow for an uninterrupted cycling experience, where you can enjoy the sounds of birdsong and the fresh mountain air as you pedal through pristine wilderness.

Epic Descents

After the challenging climb, cyclists are rewarded with exhilarating descents along the winding roads of Carretera de la Cabra. The thrilling ride down the mountainside provides an adrenaline rush like no other, offering a well-deserved payoff for your hard work on the ascent.

Cycling Community

Carretera de la Cabra attracts cyclists from around the world, creating a vibrant cycling community where you can connect with fellow riders and share in the camaraderie of the sport.

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, you'll find inspiration and encouragement along the route as you tackle this epic cycling challenge.

In conclusion, Carretera de la Cabra offers cyclists an unforgettable adventure through some of Spain's most stunning landscapes, where the combination of challenging terrain, spectacular scenery, and a vibrant cycling community makes it a must-visit destination for cycling enthusiasts of all levels.

Our Favourite Route in Carretera de la Cabra

SIERRA DE TEJEDA ASCENT

Taking the GR-14 from the outside the Hotel toward Movizar, the climb begins straight away and tops out at 1,358 meters above sea level. We take coffee in Molvizar before heading to the peak.

The last couple kilometers are slightly steeper but not all that much harder than the rest of the climb. Beautiful views back down into the valley are a welcome companion on this road, with tight bends and switchbacks providing nice variation in what the rider sees as they cycle up the Sierra de Tejeda.

The cycle back is fast and furious with a chance to crash or to overtake a pace on the bend. A really distinctive thing about the Sierra Nevada is the lack of traffic certainly compared with Alpine established destinations. You can get some speed up without the boy racers knocking you off.

122KM | 4,242 ALTITUDE GAIN

Typical Carretera de la Cabra Trip Itinerary

Note: this is a sample itinerary only, and GoBike will work with you and your group to build an itinerary to suit your requirements.

Take a spin out to Caves in Nerja. Along the coast 40km’s. Bring a bag and a lock!

Have lunch in Nerja (recommendation) and cycle back.
Taking the GR-14 from the outside the Hotel toward Movizar, the climb begins straight away and tops out at 1,358 meters above sea level. We take coffee in Molvizar before heading to the peak.

The last couple kilometers are slightly steeper but not all that much harder than the rest of the climb. Beautiful views back down into the valley are a welcome companion on this road, with tight bends and switchbacks providing nice variation in what the rider sees as they cycle up the Sierra de Tejeda.

The cycle back is fast and furious with a chance to crash or to overtake a pace on the bend. A really distinctive thing about the Sierra Nevada is the lack of traffic certainly compared with Alpine established destinations. You can get some speed up without the boy racers knocking you off.
A 1 hour cycle up to La Bernadilla followed by the next 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 Final Climb up to Los Guájares is a spectacular experience with amazing views of the high Sierra Nevada.

The Whole day is a 65 kilometre extravaganza with amazing climbs, great views, brilliant descents which will set you up for amazing sea swim at all times of the year. Clear all the sweat off in the sea before you hit the pool or get a warm shower. Options available for a massage or a Sauna in the hotel, if you would like it.
If you have the appetite for another day we suggest a monster ride up to the Sierra de Lujar. This ride will take at least 8 hrs (with lunch), so we suggest you leave early. Get a big breakfast and stop at Castell de Ferro for coffee before taking on this monster!

This 28 km climb, averaging 6%, was a feature in Roadtripping Sierra Nevada, where it’s described:

"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."

The road surface is very rough, the tarmac (or lack there of) adding even more character to this memorable climb. After 20km you turn off the Orgiva road for the final ascent up to Sierra Lujar, for the last 8km, averaging 9%.

After 1.5 km, you come to the first of seven tight hairpins, complete with steep gradients and beautiful views across the mountains below. These constant bends in the road keep the scenery interesting, and it is with your completion of this climb that you receive your greatest reward. From the summit of Sierra Lujar, there are breathtaking 360° views out onto the Alboran Sea, the Sierra de la Contraviesa and north you have a clear view of the Sierra Nevada. The views and sights that have to be seen in person to be truly appreciated.

The way back is equally stunning as you go through Lujar for a late lunch (if you didn’t carry your lunch).