La Manga Club Resort – GPX Route 3
Short on time but keen on climbing? Route 3 strings together three punchy sierras west of La Manga Club into one rapid-fire workout. You’ll cruise the palm-fringed resort exit, snake up a series of cliff-edge switchbacks overlooking Cartagena’s navy docks, loop inland through the ochre farmland around Roche, then tackle a stair-step ridge back toward the Mediterranean. Expect balcony-road panoramas, swoopy descents on pristine tarmac and just enough elevation to leave the legs humming without eating your whole morning.
La Manga Club Golf Resort – GPX Route 3
Ride Overview
Short on time but keen on climbing? Route 3 strings together three punchy sierras west of La Manga Club into one rapid-fire workout. You’ll cruise the palm-fringed resort exit, snake up a series of cliff-edge switchbacks overlooking Cartagena’s navy docks, loop inland through the ochre farmland around Roche, then tackle a stair-step ridge back toward the Mediterranean. Expect balcony-road panoramas, swoopy descents on pristine tarmac and just enough elevation to leave the legs humming without eating your whole morning.
Rides Statistics
- Distance: ≈ 35 km
- Elevation Gain: ≈ 630 m
- Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging
- Estimated Time: 1 ½ – 2 ½ hrs
- Start/Finish: La Manga Club Resort – main security gate (Los Belones)
What to Expect
Rolling gently downhill for the first 2 km, you hit the base of Climb 1 – Alto de la Fausilla (avg 6 %, 120 m gain). Its pine-scented bends gift insta-worthy views across Cartagena’s deep-blue harbour. The ridge spits you onto a fast, confidence-boosting descent before the route rises again toward Collado de Roche (Climb 2, 4 km at 5–7 %, max 10 %). Crest the 200 m high point and sweep north into big-sky campo where citrus groves stretch to the horizon.
A flatish breather through Los Nietos Viejos sets you up for Climb 3 – Alto del Mirador: a 3 km, 5 % drag that rewards with Mar Menor lagoon vistas glinting to your left. From the summit it’s a tail-wind-friendly false-flat and gentle rollers all the way back to the resort gates—perfect for an aerobic tempo finish before pool-side recovery.
Key Highlights
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Balcony bends above Cartagena: war-era lookout points & harbour panoramas.
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Patchwork farmland around Roche dotted with almond and olive groves.
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Lagoon vistas of the Mar Menor from the final ridge.
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Wild rosemary & lavender perfuming the roadside in spring.
Rider Tips
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Compact gearing (50/34 t with 30-t rear) keeps the 10 % kicks civil.
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28 mm tyres feel plush on the newly resurfaced sierras and campo lanes.
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Top-up taps: Los Belones plaza (km 15) & Roche village fountain (km 23).
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Carry a light gilet—sea-breeze descents can feel crisp even in sunshine.
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Drop the GPX onto Garmin, Wahoo or Komoot; phone signal is patchy in the folds of the sierras.
Book Your Bike & Ride Like a Local 🚴♀️
Staying at La Manga Club? OriMar Bikes will deliver and collect a perfectly sized carbon road bike right to your door—complete with dual bottle cages, saddle-bag, pump, GPS mount, and spare tube.
Need Look Keo or Shimano SPD-SL pedals, a premium helmet, or SIS nutrition? Simply tick the extras at checkout and arrive ready to ride.
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