Cáñar
- The switchback heaven that you keep dreaming about it, this is it.
The Cáñar loop as an extension of our loop ‘Around the Reservoir’, but the addition brings something pretty special to the ride – 22 switchbacks. The climb to Cáñar technically begins as soon as you go over the bridge off the main road heading towards Órgiva, however, it gets really special when you take the left turn towards the town at kilometre 19. The climb from here is not an easy one as the gradient gets up to 15% in spots, but as you gain elevation quickly, the views just get better and better the more that you go up. A sense of achievement is always present on this climb as you overlook the layers of switchbacks that you have just conquered.
Bar Piki in Cáñar is one of our favourite spots to stop and relax before working our way back down the switchbacks towards Órgiva. From the roundabout in Órgiva, there is a 10km climb to Lanjarón. The World Health Organization has recognised Lanjarón with the highest life expectancy in the world. It is precisely the quality of its waters and the fantastic climate of the area, together with the pure mountain air and the Mediterranean diet which ensures that many locals live for more than one hundred years. This makes it a pretty good place to refill your bottles from the fountain at the first left turn as you come into the town, 26.5km into the ride. Lanjarón is a great place to stop for a coffee in one of the many local bars and restaurants.
After you have drained the fountain of youth in Lanjarón and you are looking ten years younger, it’s all downhill from here… The journey back to Vélez de Benaudalla is split into three descents. The first descent down from Lanjarón flows quickly with fast corners, the next is tight and twisting, and the final descent home is straight and fast.