Vuelta 2026 Route stage 20: La Calahorra - Collado del Alguacil

Saturday 12 September - With nearly 4,900 metres of climbing packed into 186.8 kilometres, the penultimate stage of the Vuelta is an absolute brute. The riders face four intermediate climbs, often at extreme gradients, before finishing atop the Collado del Alguacil, an 8.3-kilometre climb at 9.8%.

Last updated: 22 August 2026 – final route confirmed

Race type: mountain stage
Likely winners: climbers
Weather: forecast pending

The riders roll out on the north-eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, in La Calahorra, and head west over gently rolling roads. After 43 kilometres they reach the Puerto de Blancares, a gentle 7.7-kilometre climb averaging 3.7%. Only the final stretch before the summit is steep; the rest is little more than a warm-up.

The descent leads to Granada and, after passing through the city, the riders pass through on their way to Monachil, at the foot of the Alto de El Purche. It is an 8.2-kilometre climb with an average gradient of 8.5%. The first 3 kilometres are the toughest, with the gradient constantly fluctuating between 9% and 11%, including a section at 17%.

Just before the summit of the Purche, there are still a few brutally steep ramps and a short descent, but eventually the road really starts heading downhill towards Granada. The riders briefly cross the city once again before heading via Huétor Vega to Monachil to tackle the Alto de El Purche for a second time.

After cresting the climb, the road descends to Pinos Genil, and the riders head towards Güéjar Sierra along the road overlooking the Canales reservoir. The route climbs, but the gradient is fairly gentle, especially compared with what awaits after passing through the village.

The riders first follow the Río Genil, and immediately after crossing the river, the road kicks up steeply on a narrow forest road. For 2.5 kilometres, the gradient averages more than 10%, and just after the steepest section (20%!), the climb eases to 7–8%. Over its full 7.4-kilometre length, the Puerto de El Duque averages 8.3%.

The riders descend on a wide road back to Pinos Genil, only to follow the familiar loop above the reservoir again. They follow the Río Genil upstream once more, but this time, however, they do not drop back down to the Río Genil. Instead, they continue straight into the Sierra Nevada, climbing the dead-end road to the Collado del Alguacil. The ascent is 8.3 kilometres long at an average gradient of 9.8%, with double-digit gradients all the way to the line apart from the opening kilometre.

In short, the penultimate stage of the Vuelta is a climber's dream – especially for those who relish brutally steep gradients.

Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX 20th stage 2026 Vuelta a España.

The 20th stage of La Vuelta starts at 12:30 and the race is expected to finish around 17:30 - both local times (CEST).

Another intesting read: favourites to win at the Collado del Alguacil.