Route
While most people have heard of this iconic mountain range, it is not quite the cycling hotspot that you’d expect it to be (except for end of May - early June). There’s no shortage of tough, epic climbs in this area, which makes you wonder indeed.
One possible explanation is that the Sierra Nevada doesn’t quite have the cycling heritage that other climbs in Europe have. Take Alpe d’Huez for instance. Granted, the switchback road is pleasant to watch on television, but it’s just a road to a ski resort. But since the Tour de France has been there so many times and many epic battles for GC have been fought there, people flock there to do the same climbs their heroes do. The Vuelta a España seems to want to this with the Lagos de Covadonga climb, which they’ve been including in the parcours quite a lot lately. The only reason that I can think of why they’re not doing the same with the Sierra Nevada climbs is that it’s just too hot in August. Temperatures in Granada easily go over 40 degrees celsius in Summer.
Anyway, cycling heritage or not, the statistics don’t lie. This mountain range is home to one of the highest paved roads in Europe. You can ride up to Pico Veleta at a whopping 3400m above sea level. More than 2200m of elevation gain in the span of 40km (!), that’s quite a ride. The last 10 kilometers or so are not only challenging because of the altitude, obviously, but also because of the state of the road. You may be better off with a gravel bike on this section, but it’s doable for the most part with a regular bike. Because of the latter, this route goes up ‘only’ to the military base at Hoya de la Mora.
The leg breaker: Alto de Hazallanas
The route is roughly the same as the classic route and Gran Fondo rides, with the difference here is that this route starts the ascent north of the Embalse de Canales via Güéjar Sierra. And boy, this side is tough as nails, due to the Alto de Hazallanas: 7km with an average well above 9% with peaks over 20%, this is a beast of a climb.
Through narrow and steep streets in Güéjar Sierra, you’ll find - probably by blind luck, due to complete absence of road signs - the dropoff to Alto de Hazallanas through a hidden street in the outskirts of town, easily missed. Cross the bridge and you find yourself in suffer country. There really is no way to sugar coat this: you have to be a trained rider to do this one. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, take a gravel bike or mountain bike with more gears.
Ironically, once you’ve conquered this monster, everything else feels easy. Gradients of 9% are somehow easy riding and the ever-increasing altitude doesn’t seem to have a big impact, even though it obviously does.
Thhe last part of the climb is the same as the classic route when the A-4030 and A-4025 converge. Take a sharp left and you’ll be on your way for the last 10 kilometers to Pradollano and military base at Hoya de la Mora, if your legs aren’t on fire by now.
Just can’t get enough?
Similarly, when you fly back down to Granada at a tremendous speed, you could opt to add a little detour to La Peza. This road is very popular with cyclists and pros. It’s a scenic ride with the manmade lake of Quentar as one of the highlights. Naturally, there is more climbing to be done, but nothing to be afraid of - but be aware that you’ll have done already 2000m of climbing by now!
If you want to skip this detour, just head on straight to Granada instead of turning right on the GR-3201 just outside of Pinos Genil.
Fueling up
At the summit of the Sierra Nevada are a number of bars. On the weekends they’re almost certainly going to be open since this is a very popular destination with hikers, cyclists, bikers, and car enthusiasts.
On route to the military base are a few more bars with varying opening hours.
Tips
If possible, avoid riding during the weekends. The roads are anything but quiet on weekends, and the people you share the road with aren’t quite as courteous who you hope them to be. Praise yourself lucky if car enthusiasts, bikers, and inexperienced tourists give you 30 centimeters of room when they overtake you in a blind corner. Andalucians are easy to love, but driving habits of certain demographic groups of people are outright despicable and dangerous.