Benaque and Vallejos

62km  1223hm

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This cycling route starts with an easy ride along the coast before heading inland towards quieter rural areas and traditional white villages, with one short but steep climb along the way.

This route is designed primarily for road and gravel bikes. If you choose a gravel bike, there is an interesting alternative track around the middle of the route. An e-bike with a good battery is also an option, allowing you to focus more on the surroundings than on the effort.

The first part leaves town through the eastern coastal side to later on turn to Benagalbón and then before diverting to that town, set direction to Macharaviaya and Benaque. From that turn, the climb gets lonely, without traffic, and you can enjoy a calm route in between almond trees.

The ascent from the coast to Macharaviaya is around 6 kilometres long. It is not especially long, but it includes several short, steep sections early on, with gradients reaching around 10–13%. Taking the climb at a relaxed pace is recommended. After the initial ramps, the road settles into a steadier rhythm and leads directly into Macharaviaya, marking the transition from the coastal area into the heart of the Axarquía countryside.

After leaving the coast and climbing above the shoreline, the route reaches two small white villages: Macharaviaya and Benaque. Together, they reflect the rural character and traditional village life of the Axarquía interior. Today they are quiet and sparsely populated, but their history goes back much further. Both villages have Moorish origins and experienced a period of growth in the 18th century with the arrival of the Gálvez family.

Originally from Córdoba, the Gálvez family played an important role in the area. They supported the restoration of the local church, developed vineyards, and established the Royal Playing Card Factory in Macharaviaya – now a private residence. Several family members worked closely with the Spanish Crown. One of them, Bernardo de Gálvez, later became Governor of Louisiana and gave his name to the city of Galveston in present-day Texas.

From Benaque, the road continues above the villages. After returning to the ridge reached earlier, a narrow paved road leads towards Los Vallejos. This section moves gently up and down, following the shape of the hills. The road is quiet and open, with views changing as the route turns from one side of the valley to the other.

For those who are not afraid to go gravel for a while, at the end of the paved road there is a dirt road that connects with the small town of Moclinejo. Following that way, you can close the neat loop to Malaga with a pleasantly winding descent. The main route stays on asphalt and completes a loop before rejoining the coastal road, which you then follow back to Málaga.

Late afternoon suits this cycling route especially well if you stay on the paved road. The reason is easy to understand once you are riding it.