Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
Cazorla · September 26, 2026
A cyclosportive that crosses the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, Spain's largest protected natural area, covering 145 km and 2,090 m of elevation gain, capped by the Puerto de las Palomas climb.
Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla 2026 has already taken place
Start preparing for the next one: arrive with your gear tested and your form dialled in.
Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
The Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas is one of the most distinctive events on the Andalusian cyclosportive calendar: it runs entirely within the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, Spain’s largest protected natural area. Organized by Club Ciclista Cazorla Bike and featured on the UCI’s international calendar, the race starts and finishes in Cazorla, a town in Jaén province known for its historic center and its surroundings of limestone mountain ranges.
A 145-kilometer route through the Natural Park
The course covers 145 km and 2,090 m of elevation gain, crossing some of the park’s most beautiful spots: Aguacebas, the Embalse del Tranco reservoir, the Guadalquivir Valley and the climb to Puerto de las Palomas, a 7 km pass averaging 5.7% that acts as the day’s judge. The combination of protected landscape, winding roads and a demanding pass in the final stretch makes this granfondo a benchmark event for riders looking for something more than flat kilometers.
A UCI-stamped event deep in nature
The Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla is part of the official Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar, which draws riders from across Spain and abroad, and explains why bibs sell out well in advance year after year. Passing by the Embalse del Tranco reservoir and the Guadalquivir Valley, the birthplace of Andalusia’s longest river, delivers some of the most photographed views of the event, while the organization from Club Ciclista Cazorla Bike keeps the cyclosportive spirit alive despite the event’s international profile.
Cazorla beyond the race
Cazorla and its surroundings are far more than the granfondo’s starting point: the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park offers hiking routes, wildlife watching including the Iberian ibex, and charming villages such as La Iruela, crowned by its Templar castle. Using the race weekend to explore the park beyond the bike is one of the reasons many riders come back year after year. Discover more races in the region in Andalusia.
Your 360 Pack
Everything you need to prepare for this event, in one place.
Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla 2026 registration
Registration is managed through RockTheSport, with two options: with official jersey (54€) or without jersey (30€). The window opens April 6 and closes September 20, 2026, or earlier if bibs sell out.
Tips
- Pick the with-jersey option if you want the official 2026 edition design
- The event is part of the UCI calendar, so bibs sell out well in advance
Where to stay for the Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
Cazorla is an established tourist destination with rural hotels and guesthouses, but availability shrinks fast on race weekend given the number of riders arriving from across Spain.
Tips
- Book accommodation in Cazorla several months ahead
- La Iruela and Peal de Becerro are nearby alternatives if Cazorla is fully booked
Bike gear for the Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
With 2,090 m of elevation gain and the Puerto de las Palomas climb (7 km at 5.7%) as the decisive point, checking your gearing and having the bike fully serviced before the start in Cazorla pays off.
Guides to get you ready
Tips
- A compact chainring or wide-range cassette helps on the Puerto de las Palomas ramps
- Check brakes and tires: the route includes technical descents
Technical clothing for the Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
In late September in the Sierra de Cazorla, mornings start cool and the descent from the Puerto de las Palomas can feel cold at altitude, even though midday temperatures rise considerably.
Guides to get you ready
Tips
- Pack a windproof gilet or light waterproof jersey for the pass descent
- Thin long-finger gloves for the early start in Cazorla
Nutrition for the Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
145 km and more than 2,000 m of climbing call for a solid fuelling strategy, especially ahead of the long Puerto de las Palomas climb.
Guides to get you ready
Tips
- Spread out your gel intake before tackling the Puerto de las Palomas
- Use the official feed stations along the route to refill your bottles
How to get to Cazorla
Cazorla lies inland in the province of Jaén, just over an hour's drive from the city of Jaén and about two hours from Granada.
Guides to get you ready
Tips
- Access is via mountain roads: allow extra travel time when arriving with your bike
- The nearest airports with good connections are Granada-Jaén or Málaga
Car rental in Jaén
To get around the Sierra de Cazorla and reach the town, the most practical option is renting a car in Jaén city or at Granada airport.
Tips
- Book the car in advance if travelling on the event weekend
Sports insurance for the Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
As with any UCI-calendar cyclosportive, a federative licence or one-day insurance is mandatory to take the start in Cazorla.
Tips
- Federative licence or one-day insurance required
Body care for the Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
With 145 km and over 2,000 m of climbing in September, sun exposure during the middle hours and recovery after the Puerto de las Palomas deserve attention.
Guides to get you ready
Tips
- Apply high-mountain sun protection before leaving Cazorla
- Use a foam roller at the finish to ease your legs after the accumulated climbing
Components for the Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
The Puerto de las Palomas' 7 km at 5.7% arrive after more than 100 km of riding; fitting an easier cassette ratio makes a real difference once your legs are already feeling the accumulated distance.
Guides to get you ready
Tips
- Shift to a lighter gear before entering the climb, not once you already feel your strength fading
Sunglasses for the Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla
Late-September sun in the Sierra de Cazorla bites during the middle hours, and the technical descent after the Puerto de las Palomas demands good vision through changing light between bends.
Guides to get you ready
Tips
- A category-3 lens works well for the sunniest hours, but bring a swappable one for the early start
Frequently asked questions
When does the Granfondo Sierra de Cazorla 2026 take place?
On 26 September 2026, starting from Cazorla (Jaén), inside the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park.
What is the distance and elevation?
A single 145 km route with 2,090 m of climbing, with entry at 54 euros. The high point is the Puerto de las Palomas climb.
What is the Puerto de las Palomas climb like?
It is the climb that defines the ride: around 7 km at 5.7 % average on a mountain road inside the natural park. It comes in the second half of the route, when fatigue has already built up.
Is it a hard event?
Advanced difficulty: 2,090 m of climbing over 145 km is not extreme, but the late-September heat in Jaén and the park's mountain roads call for specific endurance preparation.
