Ruta del Sol 2025 Route stage 1: Torrox Costa

Ruta del Sol 2025 Route stage 1: Torrox Costa - Cueva de Nerja

Wednesday, 19 February - The 1st stage of the Ruta del Sol is a brutal race through the mountainous Axarquía region. The route runs from Torrox Costa to Cueva de Nerja, two neighbouring places, but the riders face a 162.6-kilometre journey with plenty of elevation gain.

The first 4.1 kilometres along the coast is the only flat section of the day. The riders then turn inland in Algarrobo Costa to tackle the Alto Mirador de la Axarquía. It’s a 12.4-kilometre climb at roughly 4%. The riders work left to Árchez to tackle the brutally steep Alto de Zurrón.

The route descends sharply for a bit before continuing on undulating terrain to a brutal wall that comes just after Salares. It precedes a flat-to-rolling section in the higher part o the Axarquia before it goes downhill after Canillas de Aceituno. Following another up-and-down section the next climb begins in Puente de Don Manuel. It’s the Alto de Periana, 6 kilometres long and averaging 5.3%.

After moving through Periana, the race continues towards Riogordo along the Mondrón road. Just before reaching Riogordo, the riders turn left to return to the base of the Alto de Canillas, a climb they earlier descended from Canillas de Aceituno. It’s a 6.7-kilometre drag with an average gradient of over 7%.

The riders return on familiar roads past Sedella and Salares, and down the steep Alto de Zurrón. In Árchez, they turn left to ascend an insane ramp leading into Canillas de Albaida – 1.2 kilometres at 13%.

A few kilometres on the flat leads to Cómpeta before a short climb precedes the downhill towards Torrox Pueblo. The route continues above the village and then descends shortly and sharply to the Río Torrox. That’s where the final climb of the day, Alto de Frigiliana, begins. It stretches for 8.6 kilometres, but it’s really only the initial half that counts, with numerous double-digit gradients.

There are still 13.6 kilometres to go when the riders move through Frigiliana. The first part is a descent into Nerja before a gently rolling section leads to the flamme rouge. The final kilometre rises at roughly 6% to the finish line at the Cueva de Nerja.

Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 1st stage 2025 Ruta del Sol.

Another interesting read: results 1st stage 2025 Ruta del Sol.