Los Alcázares – GPX Route 3

Ride Overview

This is the big inland day from Los Alcázares—the one that swaps seaside sparkle for proper Murcia heartland riding and a standout climb over the Puerto de la Cadena area (highest point just under 384 m). Expect a steady build: flat, fast run-out… then a long, satisfying ascent where the landscape turns rocky and fragrant with pine, before a sweeping descent and rolling roads back toward the coast. At 112.31 km and 1,345 m, it’s a genuine endurance ride that still fits neatly into a single, heroic morning.

Rides Statistics

Distance: 112.31 km
Elevation Gain: 1,345 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Estimated Time: 4 – 6 ½ hours
Start/Finish: Los Alcázares

What to Expect

Fast coastal exit – Easy speed early while the legs are fresh.
Open-country tempo – Long stretches where a smooth cadence and tidy pacing pay off.
Main climb (mid-ride) – A sustained ascent to the route’s high point (just under 384 m), with a proper “mountain-road” feel.
Rewarding descent – Big, flowing downhill where you’ll want confidence and control rather than brute power.
Rolling return – Gentle drags and flats that feel “honest” late in the day—fuel well.

Key Highlights

Classic Murcia contrast: sea-level calm to inland elevation in one ride.
A proper pass-feel climb without needing Sierra Espuña-level commitment.
Brilliant winter training route when the UK is frozen and Murcia is comfortably rideable.
Strong café-stop potential in the inland towns—ideal for a mid-ride refill.

Rider Tips

Hydration: Two full bidons minimum; refill whenever you can on this one.
Fuel: Start eating early (from ~45 minutes in) and keep it steady—this route punishes “I’ll eat later.”
Gearing: Compact 50/34T (standard on our bikes) is ideal.
Heat: In warmer months, aim to be on/over the main climb before midday.
Pacing: Treat the first hour as “easy endurance,” not a time-trial—your best riding is after the climb, not before it.