2 min read Spain Winter/Spring 2026

Day 64: Ugíjar (Cycle)

A tough, but enjoyable cycle in to the Alpujarras mountains again. The first climb of about 18 kilometres commenced 500 metres, or so, from the starting line. The going was steady until I exited Cádiar where the gradients were often in the 12 to 15 percent range!

Little did I know that much worse was to come during the second climb of about 7 kilometres, where the gradients became ridiculous once I passed through Tímar.

I don't think this photo can convey the ridiculousness of the gradients, especially on the concrete sections of road.

Fortunately, the gradients did easy up a bit!

And eventually I arrived at the puerte de Juviles.

Sometimes you plan a route, you ride the route, and you think to yourself "this would be a good route to ride with others" or "you'd recommend it to others". Well, I was glad this expeditionary outing was a solo affair: I could imagine the grumbles of fellow riders, supposedly out for a "Sunday Ride", experiencing something significantly more strenuous, as we hit the steeper gradients!

In summary, the (mostly) single track road from Cádiar to Juviles:

  • is definitely doable by road bike (assuming you have some reasonably low gears);
  • had few vehicles on it;
  • excepting for the concrete ssection, has a good surfaces; and
  • has some pretty steep, positive and negative, gradients - you've been warned!
  • According to my route planning App's heatmap of cycle road usage, this road is not very popular with cyclists!

This is where I stopped for a snack ...

... prior to the penultimate climb, which has a sting-in-the-tail! Not only does it increase in steepness, the Garmin (not so accurate navigation aid!) has the virtual climb finishing about 600 metres from its real end point!

Today's ride had me pass by or through many pueblos, including:

  • Cádiar

  • Tímar

  • Níeles

  • Juvile

  • Alcútar

  • Bérchules

  • Mecina Bombarón

  • Yegan

  • Válor

  • Mecina Alfahar (snack stop)

  • Mairena

  • Laroles

  • Picena

  • Cherín

  • Ugíjar

I think I enjoyed the route/ride, at times it was tough and, I'm tired! Perhaps I need a rest day!

  • Distance driven: 0 miles
  • Distance cycled: 75 kilometres
  • Weather: Mostly sunny, temperatures between 13°C and 18°C, mostly light airs developing into light breeze mid afternoon.

Today's route: