CYCLING FROM MY DREAM CITY, MÁLAGA
Let me introduce you to Málaga and its surroundings – Déjame presentarte Málaga y sus alrededores…
Nowhere else in the world has the integration of the port, the old town, and beach life been so beautifully executed. Málaga simply has it all! So it’s no surprise that I fell head over heels in love with this city in Andalusia. But did you know that the surrounding area is also bursting with hidden treasures and natural phenomena? From picturesque white villages to breathtaking natural wonders that you can cycle through from Málaga. And after your bike ride, the bustling and vibrant city calls you to stay outside and socialize. The city offers a mix of historical sights, such as the Alcazaba, the Roman theater, and the immense cathedral, with modern attractions such as the Picasso Museum and the lively Soho district. For cyclists, Málaga is also a great base for exploring beautiful Andalusia. We’ll take you on a few beautiful bike rides that you’ll remember forever if you ever get the chance to ride them.
"Déjame presentarte Málaga y sus alrededores"
Ride 1 – Puerto del León / Fuente de la Reina
We set off on a short ride with breathtaking views of Málaga. From the center of Málaga, we start the route at Calle Victoria and Cristo de la Epidemia and then follow the signs for Camino Colmenar. We cycle on the A-7000, which will take us from just above sea level to an altitude of 930 meters. This ride and the climb up Puerto del León can be done from two sides: starting in the center with a steep climb totaling 16 kilometers, or a completely different version from the east through the El Palo neighborhood and then up through the village of Olias. Both versions offer a different perspective of the skyline and the beautiful views of Málaga, the coastline, and the Axarquia region.
So, if you start from the center of Málaga, you will reach the top of the Puerto del León in several stages. Steep sections of more than 10% are interspersed with the Spanish false flat of 2-4%. At the top, you will have a great view of Málaga and the coastline. We cycle a few more kilometers before turning right and enjoying the incredible view of the coastline 800-900 meters below us from a beautiful asphalt road that goes up and down for kilometers. The descent is also beautiful and technical in some places. We quickly return to sea level and cycle back to the center of Málaga via the boulevard.
From the east to Puerto del León, the climb is a bit longer, about 20 km. After ten kilometers of gentle climbing, a winding road at 10% to Olias will prepare you for the Wall of Olias. This steep section with an average gradient of 13.8% is almost a kilometer long, but the beautiful view of the peak of Santopitar will quickly make you forget everything. After conquering the Wall of Olias, the climb continues for another eight kilometers with a gradient between -2 and 7%. (see profile)
Ride 2 – Along the Embalse de la Viñuela
Another beautiful ride starting in Málaga takes you to the Axarquía, a small region in the east of the province of Málaga. This ride is 118 km long and covers 1844 meters of elevation gain.
We start again from Málaga and climb to the top of the Puerto del León, but instead of turning right after the top, we follow the road through the Montes de Málaga nature park, down to the village of Colmenar. There, on the right, you have a beautiful view of Axarquía, with the broad ridge of the Santopitar mountain peak, the Comares or, a little further on, the Maroma. We drive through Colmenar and then turn right towards Riogordo via the A-7204. It is a beautiful and very fast 7 km descent on new asphalt, but with some tricky bends. You rarely encounter a car here and you can see almost the entire descent in open fields, so if you misjudge, there is always enough room to correct to the opposite side of the road.
Riogordo is one of the white villages of Axarquia, where we take a break and refill our water bottles. We then continue on the A-7204 towards Mondron / Periana / Viñuela, and the road immediately starts to climb steeply. Five kilometers further on, you are at the top of the Puerto Sabar (590 m). Then it’s a rapid descent towards Mondron and via Periana to Viñuela, with a view of the beautiful Maroma mountain peak. On the right-hand side, the view is even more beautiful, with the stunning emerald green Embalse de la Viñuela. Via the same A-7204, we continue our descent to Vélez-Malaga and Torre del Mar on the coast. In Torre del Mar, we take the N-340, which takes us back to Málaga 30 km further on via a completely flat road.
Puerto del León from Málaga
Puerto del León from Málaga is a climb in the Costa del Sol region. It is 16 kilometers long and covers 894 meters of elevation gain with an average gradient of 5.6% and a maximum of 12.4%.
The Puerto del León has been climbed several times in the Tour of Spain. This was also the case in the 2015 edition during a stage won by Peter Sagan.
Conclusion about cycling around Málaga:
Málaga is one of the most beautiful bases in Europe for cycling. The interior is beautiful and invites you to go on an adventure. Don’t forget to take a day trip to the stunningly beautiful Ronda or visit the El Torcal de Antequera nature park with its incredible rock formations. But be warned! If you don’t want to fall in love with this metropolis and its surroundings and spare yourself the terrible heartbreak of saying goodbye, then you’d better not go to Málaga!
Text and photos: Patrick Van Gansen
