From Malaga, the route ascends between mountains, leaving behind the urban bustle. The road is wrapped in silence and pine forests to crown the Puerto del León, before a serene descent to Olías.
The climb to Puerto del León and the descent through Olías make up one of the most iconic road cycling routes in Málaga. With a considerable accumulated elevation gain and panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the Montes de Málaga, this route challenges the legs while rewarding cyclists with spectacular landscapes and a fun yet technical descent. The first part of the route takes riders through a steady climb, ideal for building endurance, followed by a fast descent into Olías that tests handling skills and precision.
The Puerto del León mountain pass holds great historical significance. For centuries, it was one of the main communication routes between Málaga and the Andalusian interior. It is said that its name comes from an old roadside inn that had a lion carved in stone. The area has witnessed the passage of merchants, travelers, and, in more recent times, cyclists seeking a challenging ascent.
This mountain pass also played a strategic role during the Spanish Civil War, serving as a key surveillance and defense point. Additionally, the road passing through it has been the stage for numerous cycling events, making it a benchmark for road cycling enthusiasts. Over the years, the toughness of its ascent has shaped the character of many local and visiting cyclists who come to Málaga seeking high-altitude challenges.
Olías is a hamlet of Málaga with Moorish roots that survived the Rebellion of the Alpujarras in the 16th century. Its history is marked by agricultural traditions and olive oil production, a local treasure that has endured through the centuries. The small village preserves its Andalusian essence with whitewashed houses and landscapes of olive and almond trees that evoke a past rich in history and culture.
After a long day of cycling, Málaga’s gastronomy offers a well-deserved reward. In this region, traditional dishes such as ajoblanco, a cold almond and garlic soup perfect for recharging energy, and chivo lechal malagueño, a local specialty of tender kid goat, stand out. Additionally, in Olías, you can find small restaurants and roadside inns where you can enjoy homemade cured meats and the famous pescaíto frito, a typical dish from the province.
Cyclists tackling this route can also indulge in other delicacies, such as gazpachuelo, a hot soup made with fish and mayonnaise, perfect for regaining strength. Those with a sweet tooth shouldn’t miss borrachuelos, a traditional Andalusian pastry made from fried dough and honey. Likewise, Málaga’s sweet wines, especially those made from Muscat grapes, provide the perfect finishing touch to a meal after a demanding ride. And, of course, there is no better way to end the route than by enjoying an espeto de sardinas on the Málaga coast, an authentic emblem of the local cuisine.
The Montes de Málaga are covered by an extensive Aleppo pine forest, planted in the 20th century to combat erosion and protect the region’s aquifers. Along the route, you can also find holm oaks, cork oaks, and a wide variety of Mediterranean shrubs such as mastic trees, rockrose, and rosemary, which perfume the air and accompany cyclists throughout their journey.
In spring, the blooming of thyme and lavender colors the edges of the path, attracting butterflies and bees that play a crucial role in pollination. In shadier areas, ferns and honeysuckle climb over rocks and tree trunks, creating small pockets of natural freshness. Along the banks of the streams that cross the route, poplars and willows provide shade and shelter for numerous bird species and small mammals.
The route passes through the Montes de Málaga, a natural environment where it is common to spot short-toed eagles, peregrine falcons, and various birds of prey soaring high above. In the denser forested areas, wild boars, foxes, and chameleons are frequently present, though they tend to stay away from the bustle of the road.
Additionally, in the streams that flow through the mountains, otters can sometimes be found—a sign of the excellent water quality in the region. Smaller bird species such as the great tit, blue tit, and blackbird are also abundant, providing a natural soundtrack to the ride. During spring and summer, the chirping of cicadas echoes through the trees, while on quieter nights, the hooting of owls and little owls signals the presence of these stealthy nocturnal predators.
From the sunny streets of Marbella, the route enters the Sierra Blanca, ascending between gentle curves and Mediterranean pine forests. Passing through Ojén opens the door to a wilder and more mountainous environment, where the ascent to El Juanar offers silence, shade and wide views towards the coast.
In a few kilometers, the urban noise transforms into open countryside. The gentle hills lead to Almogía and, further on, the landscape becomes more rugged towards Villanueva, where the silhouette of the Torcal looms between olive groves and solitary mountains.
From the Balcón de Europa, the route follows the coast before turning inland. After crossing La Herradura, the road becomes more demanding and quiet, ascending towards the Puerto de los Castillejos between mountains, pine forests and open views of the sea.
