Nerja – Almunecar – Granada – Nerja – Ruta de la cabra

La ruta de la cabra (The Goat Trail)
This is one of the premier routes in the region. It is the route that local cyclists relish. The journey has great coastal scenery, a long challenging climb and long sections of tranquil deserted roads. This ride is a grand day out covering 167km and 2707 meters of climbing.

The route heads east out of Nerja on the coastal road N340. The hurly burly of the town is quickly replaced by quieter roads and less development. It is worth keeping an eye out for the Viaducta de Aguilar on your left. This was built in the 19th century to transport water for the local sugar cane crops.
After the town of Maro the road rises and falls with superb costal views. This offers tempting glimpses of secluded beaches at the bottom of the towering cliffs that characterise the area. There are a few tunnels to negotiate here. Traffic is usually light, but you should have lights on for visibility.

Almunecar is the point where you leave the coast and commence the beginnings of the climb of the Ruta de Cabra. Initially the road heads away from the town’s outskirts into the mango and avocado groves. You pass under the soaring bridge of the A7 coastal motorway before passing the villages of Jete and Otivar. Both offer places for refreshments and sensible replenishments stops as further options are limited for the next section of the ride.

You are soon climbing in earnest on a spiralling road into the Sierra Almijara. The climb is in two sections. The first is 18km of steady 5 percent gradient before a short descent and a further uphill section of 5 kms at 4 percent. On the way you have great views of the sea way below you, some beautiful rock formations and a short tunnel cut through the mountain rock.
When you turn inland the hard work continues, on a false flat until you reach the junction of Cruce de Jayena. At this point, you have a well- deserved descent onto flatter territory. You will notice the huge peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the North East. It is worth noting that a restaurant, Meson de Prados, is on the false flat section. However, it is only open at weekends. Jayena has some limited options for a bocadilla and drinks. It also, has a useful garage just before the village for basics.

After Jayena you are surrounded by olive trees in all directions until the azure waters of the Embalse de Los Bermajales comes into view. You are now heading towards the town of Alhama de Granada. You pass the town below near a ravine. It is now a steady climb away from the town. The gradient levels out on the road to Zafarraya and its famous pass through the Sierra de Tejeda.
Heading through the pass the view down the spectacular Velez valley to the coast is in front of you. The road drops down rapidly to the settlement of Puente don Manuel. Here you turn onto the old country road to Velez passing through Trapiche. There are two excellent Spanish restaurants offering incredible Menu del Dia should you wish to stop at this point.

Velez is a large town. It has an interesting old town and castle on the hill above. It also makes an appearance in Cervantes masterpiece Don Quixote! The route skirts around the fringes of the town before reaching the coastal road. There are again plenty of interesting seafront villages such as Caleta de Velez and Mezquitilla to explore or stop for food and drinks. The speciality around here are Espetos de Sardinas, skewers of salty sardines barbecued over wood. A very good cycling recovery food.

The final section of the ride follow’s the coast closely. On occasion you cycle next to the sea until Nerja comes back into view and you approach the town from the west. If you have time and the stamina to ride all day then the Ruta de Cabra is an absolute must do!