Morrón de Sierra Espuña climb from Alhama de Murcia
By bicis.net community · One way
In short: Climb of 27.6 km and +1,645 m from Alhama de Murcia (Región de Murcia), at 6 % on average up to 1,476 m. It's very hard and takes about 3 h 30 to climb; its hardest kilometre is at 20.3 % and 26 % is track or trail.
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Add to my calendar- Distance
- 27.6 km
- Elevation gain
- +1,645 m
- Max altitude
- 1,476 m
- Hardest km
- 20.3 %
- Difficulty
- Very hard
- Estimated time
- 3 h 30 min
8 water fountains within 250 m of the route, according to OpenStreetMap. Cycling map
Profile
Run your finger or mouse over the profile to see each point on the map.
Surface
Tarmac 74 % Track 10 % Trail 16 %
Mixed surface: check the map before choosing your bike. Measured on OpenStreetMap; there may be recent changes on the ground.
The route
The route
You leave Alhama de Murcia and within a few kilometres you leave the market gardens and greenhouses behind and head into Sierra Espuña Regional Park. The road gains height through pine forest, with gentle sections at the start that let you warm up without punishing you. Then you pass Huerta Espuña and the cols of the range, and the last third takes you along the paved track that climbs to the Morrón. It's 27.6 km of climbing with +1,645 m and an average gradient of 6%, up to the route's highest point at 1,476 m.
Where it bites
The first half is about rhythm. The serious part comes at the end: the hardest kilometre appears after km 20, when you already have plenty of metres in your legs. Save your strength for it. The route page measures 74% tarmac and some track and footpath: on road tyres, keep an eye on the surface in the upper part.
Where to stop
Fill your bottles and eat in Alhama. Inside the park there are fountains and picnic areas, but on weekdays don't count on an open bar. Take something warm for the descent: it's cooler at the top even if it's a nice day below.
When to go
Autumn and spring are ideal. In winter there can be ice on the upper part first thing; in summer, set off very early because of the heat in the Guadalentín valley.
How to get there
Alhama has a Cercanías (commuter rail) station on the Murcia–Lorca–Águilas line: check Renfe's conditions for taking your bike on board. For parking, there's room in and around the town centre. Before you set off, have a look at the cycling routes in the Region of Murcia to make a day of it.
Sources for this text: Turismo de la Región de Murcia · OpenStreetMap
Track based on OpenStreetMap (CIMA signposted climb MU10-1) (ODbL).
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the climb to Morrón de Sierra Espuña from Alhama de Murcia?
- It's 27.6 km with +1,645 m of elevation gain and an average gradient of 6%. The hardest section comes after km 20.
- Is there water along the way?
- Inside the Regional Park there are fountains and picnic areas, but fill your bottles in Alhama de Murcia: on weekdays there are no bars open in the range.
- Can you get there by train?
- Yes, Alhama de Murcia has a Cercanías station on the Murcia–Lorca–Águilas line. Check Renfe's conditions for taking your bike.
- What's the best time of year to ride it?
- Autumn and spring. In winter there can be ice at the top first thing and in summer it's best to set off very early because of the heat.
Before you set off, check the state of the road or track and follow the traffic rules. Enjoy the ride.
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