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

Friday 11 September - Stage 19 of the Vuelta covers 210.8 kilometres between Vélez-Málaga and the summit of Peñas Blancas. Three climbs precede the final challenge, 18.8 kilometres at 6.5%, with the race totalling 4,054 metres of elevation gain.

Last updated: 22 August 2026 – final route confirmed

Race type: hilly stage with a tough final climb
Likely winners: climbers
Weather: forecast pending

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 80 kilometres into the stage.

The Puerto de Las Abejas is 14.5 kilometres long an averages 4.3%. Straight after the descent comes the Puerto de los Empedrados, which adds 13.1 kilometres at 3.7%. 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 del Madroño, 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 18.8 kilometres, the road rises from sea level to 1,270 metres. The opening 2.5 kilometres are the steepest, with ramps reaching 15%. The gradient then eases for a few kilometres before settling into a long, relentless ascent. Overall, the climb to Peñas Blancas averages 6.5%.

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.

The 19th stage of La Vuelta starts at 12:05 and the race is expected to finish around 17:30 - both local times (CEST).

Another interesting read: favourites to win at Peñas Blancas.