Aracena is your typical Andalusian village with its special attraction hidden underground. La Gruta de la Maravillas – or, Cave of Wonders – is a subterranean complex that stretches for around 2,130 metres. The network of limestone caverns is a natural underground monument with subterranean lakes, stalactites, stalagmites, and dripstone curtains. The temperatures in the cave is always 16°Celsius to 19°Celsius, with around 98% humidity.
Once on the road the riders will yearn for a cool cave, as this part of Spain is notorious for being extremely hot in summer. The route is ‘Spanish flat’, which means that it goes up and down all day without any real climbing.
That is, until the finale. The Montasterio de Tentudía is a hilltop monastery. The road starts to climb at kilometre 152. The first 3 kilometres rise at almost 7% before it levels out and even descends for a bit. The dash for the top is a 4.1 kilometres dig at 7.4%. Taken from base to finish, the ascent to the monastery is 10.3 kilometres long and averages 5%.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 17 Vuelta.
The 17th stage of La Vuelta starts at 13:05 and the race is expected to finish around 17:30 – both are local times (CEST).
Another interesting read: results 17th stage 2022 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2022 stage 17: route, profile, more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Favourites stage 17: Breakaway day - Vuelta 20 The Route - Vuelta 20 Riders - Vuelta 20 Route and stages - Vuelta 20 GC Favourites - Vuelta 20 More articles Giro 2025 Route stage 10: Lucca – Pisa
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 10: For pure time trialists
Giro 2025 stage 10: Start times Lucca -> Pisa ITT
Giro 2025: Withdrawals
Giro 2025: The Route
Giro 2025: Riders
Giro 2025 Route stage 11: Viareggio – Castelnovo ne’ Mont
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 11: Attackers in promising finale
Giro 2025 Route stage 12: Modena – Viadana
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 12: For fast men #3
Giro 2025 Route stage 13: Rovigo - Monte Berico
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 13: Puncheurs at Monte Berico
Giro 2025 Route stage 14: Treviso – Nova Gorica
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 14: For fast men #4
Giro 2025 Route stage 15: Fiume Veneto – Asiago
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 15: Attackers in the high mountains
Giro 2025 Route stage 16: Piazzola sul Brenta – San Valentino
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 16: GC showdown at high altitudes
Giro 2025 Route stage 17: San Michele all’Adige - Bormio
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 17: Breakaways over the Mortirolo
Giro 2025 Route stage 18: Morbegno - Cesano Maderno
Giro 2025 Favourites stage 18: For fast men #5
Cycling Calendar 2025
Tour de France 2025: The Route
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 1: Lille - Lille
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 2: Lauwin-Planque - Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 3: Valenciennes - Dunkirk
Vuelta Femenina 2025 Route stage 6: Becerril de Campos - Baltanás