This ride starts in Jaén, deep in the olive heartlands of Andalusia, and takes on one of the region’s most legendary climbs: La Pandera. Known from multiple Vuelta a España stages, this mountain packs a serious punch — remote, steep, and dramatic.
From Jaén, the route eases you in with rolling terrain through a sea of olive groves. After passing Los Villares, the road gradually tilts upward. But it’s only a warm-up for what’s to come.
When leaving the A-6050, the suffer fest beings. Gradients frequently spike into double digits, with tight switchbacks and exposed stretches that offer no relief. It’s a relentless ascent with an average gradient around 7%, but ramps over 15% in places. It’s an absolute monster of a climb.
As you approach the summit, the views open wide across the Sierra Sur, and the final few kilometers to the abandoned military base at the top feel like something out of a high-mountain stage race. The descent back toward Jaén is fast and technical, and well-earned.
Instead of returning to Jaén the same way, this route takes a little detour, taking you through towns like Martos, Jamilena, and Torredelcampo. On route, you’ll cross another iconic route: the Vía Verde del Aceite.