Vuelta 2026 Route stage 19: Vélez-Málaga - Peñas Blancas

Friday 11 September - Stage 19 of the Vuelta covers 205.1 kilometres from Vélez-Málaga to the summit of Peñas Blancas. Three climbs precede the final challenge: a 19-kilometre ascent at an average gradient of 6.7%.

The opening kilometres out of Vélez-Málaga are relatively uneventful. Following the Mediterranean coast, the riders head via Málaga to Coín. The terrain begins to roll gently, but the first classified climb does not arrive until around 75 kilometres into the stage.

The Puerto de Las Abejas is 14.4 kilometres long an averages 4.3%. Straight after the descent comes the Puerto de los Empedrados, which adds 7.1 kilometres at 5.8%. The route then drops briefly before climbing again for a few kilometres at around 5%.

A long descent takes the riders into Ronda, where they tackle the Puerto Cerro Mojón, a 15-kilometre climb at gentle gradients. They remain at altitude for a while before descending from more than 1,000 metres back to the Mediterranean.

After following the coast between San Pedro de Alcántara and Estepona, the final climb begins virtually at the beach. Over 19 kilometres, the road rises from sea level to 1,270 metres. The opening 2.5 kilometres are the steepest, with ramps reaching 12.5%. The gradient then eases for a few kilometres before settling into a long, relentless ascent. Overall, the climb to Peñas Blancas averages 6.7%.

The Vuelta last finished atop the mountain above Estepona in 2022. On that occasion, Richard Carapaz and Wilco Kelderman put on a captivating battle on the slopes, with the Ecuadorian emerging victorious.

Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX 19th stage 2026 Vuelta a España.