Puerto del León
47km 1182hm
Puerto del León is a classic mountain pass in the Montes de Málaga, long loved by local cyclists. It marks the gateway between the coastal city and the inland hills, offering wide forested landscapes, fresh mountain air and clear views towards the Mediterranean. For many riders, reaching Puerto del León is both a physical milestone and a symbolic transition into the heart of Málaga’s natural surroundings.
This classic cycling route starts in the centre of Málaga and climbs directly into the hills of the Montes de Málaga Natural Park, reaching the mountain pass of Puerto del León before returning via the white village of Olías. It works well as a one-day ride, combining forest roads, long climbs, and a quiet return to the city.
The route runs entirely on paved roads, so it works well with almost any type of bike. For those looking for off-road options on an MTB close to Málaga, or who would like to extend the day with a gravel bike section, our Fuente Climb route can be a good alternative to consider. The climbs are not excessively long or technical and can be ridden on different types of bikes by riders who are used to cycling on routes with elevation. With an e-bike, it is accessible for most riders.
The cycling route starts directly from the city centre and climbs into the Montes de Málaga Natural Park, before returning via the white village of Olías. All you need to do is follow road A-7000, or simply the signs pointing towards Montes de Málaga.
As you ride deeper into the natural park, traffic becomes lighter, and only a few cars pass along the way. The first climb is around 15 kilometres long, with approximately 887 metres of elevation gain. It is steady and not too steep, it lets you catch good rhythm and before you look back, you are almost a thousand meters above sea level. This ascent runs entirely through the Montes de Málaga Natural Park, an area traditionally used by local riders to access the hills north of the city and often included in the plans of many travellers visiting Málaga for a cycling vacation.
The park was established in 1989 and is characterised by a large pine forest, mainly Aleppo pines, resulting from reforestation works carried out in the 1930s. These forests were planted to stabilise the slopes around the Guadalmedina River, helping to absorb floodwater and reduce the risk of flooding in Málaga. Today, it is one of the favourite places for people from Málaga to escape into nature for a short break close to the city.
About halfway up, the road passes El Mirador, a viewpoint with wide views over the city.
On warmer days, the forest provides long sections of shade, and the limited traffic makes the ascent feel calm and unhurried. Historically, this road was one of the main routes linking Málaga with inland villages and towns such as Colmenar and the wider Axarquía area.
From Puerto del León, the route turns downhill towards Olías. This descent opens up broad panoramas, with a winding road that includes a few steeper moments. About halfway down, you pass through the white village of Olías, set on the hillside above the valley. Shortly after leaving the village, there is one final short climb, followed by a long, winding descent back towards Málaga.
Along the route, you will find two historical fountains where you can refill water bottles. The first is located at Puerto del León, around 18 kilometres from the start, at Fuente de la Reina. A small bar nearby makes it also a convenient place for a short break. Historically, this fountain served as an important stop for travellers and was a key water source for the nearby Mozarabic settlement during the Middle Ages. The second fountain is found at the exit of Olías. Rebuilt in 1965, it supplied water to the local population and is marked by a small pedestal dedicated to the Virgin Mary, set into a whitewashed wall on the right-hand side.
It is also possible to ride this route in the opposite direction, climbing first towards Olías and then continuing up to Puerto del León and Fuente de la Reina. The experience feels quite different this way, with some sections more relaxed and others more demanding, especially a steep stretch known locally as El Muro just after Olías. If time allows during your stay in Málaga, riding the loop in both directions offers two distinct perspectives of the same landscape.
This route was previously published as a road bike route on our old Escapada website. We updated the content to reflect our new Travel & Adventure concept while keeping the same region and key highlights.
Images and text by Escapada Cycling