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Comarca de la Vega de Granada

Monachil

El Purche Climb – Scenic Downhill loop from Pradollano

Comarca de la Vega de Granada

Monachil

El Purche Climb – Scenic Downhill loop from Pradollano

Hard

4.5

(4)

212

riders

El Purche Climb – Scenic Downhill loop from Pradollano

03:15

47.7km

1,630m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 1, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.87 km

Pradollano

Highlight • Settlement

Pradollano is the highest ski resort in the Sierra Nevada and the hub for services at the foot of the slopes, home to hotels, restaurants, and an après-ski atmosphere. Located at over 2,000 meters above sea level, it combines the beauty of a mountain village with everything the surrounding area has to offer.

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Tip by

16.4 km

Puerto del Purche

Highlight • Mountain Pass

This is one of the most emblematic hidden passes in Andalusia. Its ascent offers spectacular views of Sierra Nevada in a rural setting with little traffic, which is atypical in the rest of Europe.

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22.6 km

El Purche Climb

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

Used several times in the Tour of Spain and being one of the alternative roads to reach Sierra Nevada. The real challenge begins in the small town of Monachil. From here, we will handle a quite tough climb section of 6 km always around 10% to reach its maximum slope in the quarry area where we will reach 16%.

Tip by

36.2 km

El Dornajo Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

Here you will find information about Sierra Nevada and its surroundings. It also has a café and bar area.

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36.6 km

Scenic Downhill

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Sometimes it is already difficult: stop and take a photo or enjoy the wonderful descent to the fullest. Of course, both would be best. But then you would have to cycle up the route again. But I can assure you: During the approximately 30-kilometer descent there is guaranteed to be one or the other opportunity to make a stop to pause for a while - even if only because the brakes have to cool down a bit.

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Tip by

43.7 km

Veleta - Ski station junction

Highlight • Trail

The turnoff itself, in my opinion, isn't a highlight, but it's a very important junction for planning. The northwestern route is a secondary road closed to car traffic, so you can ride quite relaxed and "alone" with other cyclists and the occasional hiker. The southeastern route is the main road, where all the car traffic heads into the tourist area. I would definitely avoid the main road (there are lots of aggressive tourists who pass you quickly and closely). The exit on the main road is better if you want to go very fast.

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Tip by

46.6 km

Pradollano junction

Highlight • Mountain Pass

If you biked up to this point from Granada you've climbed more than 1400 meters of unrelenting elevation change. It's still another 1100 meters to the summit from here, but in winter this is as far as the road is usually kept open from snow. Depending on conditions you can usually continue straight on this short spur leading into the resort area for a break and to warm up/dress up more layers before shooting down this long sweet descent. In summer the pavement continues up about half of the distance to the summit from here, the rest is gravel/dirt that road bike tires might not work well with, but definitively worth every effort to take in the breathtaking views.

Tip by

47.7 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

47.7 km

Surfaces

47.7 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (2,170 m)

Lowest point (830 m)

Weather

Tuesday 25 August

18°C

11°C

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Comments

July 6, 2022,Sierra Nevada via Purche / Sabinas

Going up to Sierra Nevada through Monachil is not the easiest way to get to Sierra Nevada, but without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful.
Once we reach the town of Monachil, the ascent to Purche will begin, to end up connecting with the general road of Sierra Nevada A-395.
At the height of the El Dornajo …

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El Purche Climb – Scenic Downhill loop from Pradollano

Pradollano

Puerto del Purche

El Purche Climb

El Dornajo Visitor Center

Scenic Downhill

Veleta - Ski station junction

Pradollano junction

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