málaga to Puerto del leon
cycling route 

We go deep into the Montes de Málaga, a great scenery for a cycling holiday. The route starts in Málaga city centre and, in a 10 minutes bike ride, we can find a natural park and a high contrast between the noisy town and a peaceful landscape. 

Images by Escapada Cycling

This is Malaga's most classic round. Takes you straight from the city center up to the mountains, to finally go back through the town of Olias. All you need is to find the road number A-7000, or follow directions to Montes of Málaga. The further you cycle into the natural park, the quieter it gets, and just a few cars pass along the way. 

The first climb is 15 kilometers long, with 887 meters of elevation. 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. The climb passes through Montes de Málaga Natural Park, the place chosen for most of the local road cycling enthusiasts to get better at climbing hills. Established in 1989, it consists of a large pine forest of mainly aleppo pines arising from a reforestation that took place in 1930. The aim was to create a lush vegetation screen on the slopes around Guadalmedina river, in order to absorb the floodwaters and diminish the risk of floods in Málaga city.

Halfway through, you will pass along “El Mirador”, a place with magnificent views to the city. The road also winds up through a couple of tunnels that end up shaping a 360 degrees turn.

The climb is not excessively long, nor very hard so it is reachable for everyone with a basic fitness level. On sunny warm days we will get aid by the great forest mass and its shade. Furthermore, the little traffic on these roads will help us pedal relaxed and watch on each turn the wonderful views of the city and bay of Málaga. This road covers the path between the river Guadalmedina and Jaboneros stream, and it was the most important access to the city in the past two centuries.

The road downhill to Olías opens for beautiful panoramas, and the winding and fast descent has a few steep moments. Halfway down, you will pass the white town of Olias, which looks like it was taken straight out of a postcard from Andalusia. Immediately after Olías you reach the last climb of the day, and then just a winding descent back to Malaga is left.

There are two main water sources over the course. The first one is 18 km far from the start, at the top of the hill, the so-called Puerto de Leon, there is a fountain named Fuente de la Reina where you can fill the water bottles. There is also a bar to stop for a coffee break (vegetarian food is served as well). This Fuente de la Reina (the Queen’s fountain) was an important stop-over for all travelers in the past and the main water source for the inhabitants of the old mozarabic citadel in the middle ages. The other water source is located at the exit of a town named Olias. The water fountain was built in 1965 to supply water to the local population and honoured with a small pedestal dedicated to Virgin Mary, you will find it as part of a whitewashed wall on the right side.

It is also possible to do this route the other way around, by climbing first to Olías and then Puerto del León - Fuente de la Reina. However, the feeling is completely different, at times it is more relaxed and at times even harder, especially a section named “El Muro” (The Wall) right after Olías. If you have enough time in Malaga, don’t forget to try both ways.