Puerto de la Mata, an epic road in Andalusia
Spain, europe
201 km
1,670 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Puerto de la Mata! This high-altitude gem sits pretty at 1,670m (5,479ft) in Andalusia, southern Spain's Almería province. Think serious climbs - we're talking up to 18% gradients.
Tucked away in the Sierra Mágina Natural Park, the road to the top (also called Puerto Torres) is a rugged, unpaved treat that forms part of the GR-7 trail. It's usually open year-round, though winter weather can sometimes throw a curveball with temporary closures. The pass stretches for 20.1 km (12.48 miles), running north-south from the JA-3107 road (near Torres) to the A-324 road (near Mata Bejid), serving up incredible vistas as you go. Heads up - it *might* be closed during the summer fire season.
This route is a steady climb, long but not too brutal. From Cambil, it's a 15.1 km ascent with an average gradient of 5.7% (spiking to 11.8% in spots!). Coming from Torres? Get ready for 12.3 km at an average of 6.7%, with some sections hitting that intense 18% mark. Get ready to shift gears and soak in the scenery!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 201 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,670 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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