Málaga Cycling routeS:
Ruta de la Pasa

The road of raisins. Loop ride around the white towns in the Axarquia where, for almost two hundred years the best raisins of the world are made.

Images and text by Escapada Cycling.

Ruta de la Pasa means the road of raisins, when you get deeper in the mountains you will see why. Right next to old white houses stand unique structures, facing the sun, created for drying grapes and thus creating, known from the route title, raisins.

This cycling route will take you through some of the most traditional white towns of the Axarquía. You will see the evident Moorish influence these towns hold nowadays. And not just by the look of their streets and houses, but the artisan production techniques used still today. Over the course, you will find beautiful vines, whitewashed villages and the typical raisin dryers, a structure that looks like an open rectangular tent-like space that allows the grapes to get dried and protects them from humidity at night. All of this, binded with excellent weather conditions that allow vine growing, has brought “Malaga’s raisins” to be acknowledged as World Agriculture Heritage by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). 

First kilometers roll right by the sea, which is a great opportunity for a peaceful warm up. We turn into the mountains in Rincon de la Victoria, following the signs for Moclinejo. There is only one climb on the route, with pretty steady gradient and endless corners. 

There are 12 kilometers of climb from the first turn. Although the slope incline remains steady as we climb, sometimes it is possible to reach 11% grade, with challenging sections of 15% or 21%.

Just before the top of the climb, at almost 600 m.a.s.l., we highly recommend turning right into a small gravel road from which there is a great viewpoint on Axarquia valley, from where you can see Comares or Ventas de Zafarraya. 

The short dirt road does not really attract cyclists riding road bikes, but if you enter the way carefully to avoid flat tires, it is totally recommended, as it is very difficult to find another place in the area with such views. Therefore, take your time and enjoy the views calmly.

Take your time, enjoy the view, and after that there is a pretty fast and steep descent waiting, then a little up and down rolling roads all the way down to the coast where you can easily find a place for a lunch or a coffee break. And then it's an easy way back home, especially beautiful late afternoon. 

If you liked this cycling route, we recommend to completely finish the Route of the Raisin with our route to Comares.