The classic Cádiz mountain ride. It leaves Arcos de la Frontera on the A-372 towards El Bosque and keeps climbing to Grazalema. From there it crosses the Puerto de las Palomas on the CA-9104 and drops to Zahara de la Sierra. It then continues on the A-384 towards Olvera and finishes on the CA-9120 in Setenil de las Bodegas, known for its houses built under the rock.
The whole route runs through the Sierra de Cádiz comarca, crossing the municipalities of Arcos, Prado del Rey, El Bosque, Grazalema, Zahara, Algodonales, Olvera, Torre Alháquime and Setenil. The first half enters the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, with mountain roads and the pass as the high point; the second half is more open, through olive groves and farmland, with white villages perched on their hills and castles in view.
It covers about 113 km and around three and a half hours of riding without stops, although with so many villages it is normal to make a full day of it. Altitude ranges from about 70 m near Arcos to almost 1,200 m at the Puerto de las Palomas, so bring clothing for the cold and check the mountain forecast. The mountain sections have tight bends, cyclists and possible livestock or gravel on the road.