From Zahara de los Atunes Thru Malibu (almost)

Ready for a short-but-sweaty one? This 30 km ride kicks off in sunny Zahara de los Atunes and immediately starts climbing — emotionally and physically. We head towards Atlanterra – what Malibu wishes it could be!

Tap the pic, let Strava do the guiding.

We start from a comfy parking spot just steps away from the beach — because why not begin with a view, right? Now, as we pedal toward Atlanterra, let’s talk about this neighborhood. Atlanterra was built as a dreamy coastal escape — and let's just say they nailed the dream part. The hillside villas here are so stunning they might cause spontaneous eye moisture. Especially when you realize the price tags start at around oh-you-know-just 1 million euros.

After a 5 km warm-up on smooth tarmac, the real party starts: gravel, baby. But before we bounce around the crunchy stuff, make sure to stop at Mirador del Cabo de Gracia (a.k.a. Mirador Camarinal). The view is insane — on clear days you can see all the way to Africa. There's also a historic watchtower up there that was once used to spot pirate ships. Oh — and take a moment to look down at Playa El Cañuelo. That’s the exact second you’ll question your whole day’s plan. Ride or beach? Climb or towel nap? Gravel dreams or sandy siesta? Temptation is real when the water’s that blue.

If you made the right decision, congrats — you're about to hit a gravel climb of dreams. This is that glorious moment when you pat yourself on the back for bringing a gravel bike. The terrain? Rough, rustic, and oh-so-rewarding. Prime Andalusian gravel — crunchy and sunbaked. On your way up, you might be joined by a few local legends: a friendly herd of cows and a couple of confused goats. But no worries — they’re far more interested in chewing grass than chasing cyclists.

Somewhere near the top, the climb merges with a section of the legendary Ruta del Estrecho — a protected natural route running through the Parque Natural del Estrecho. It’s one of those roads that makes you feel very small and very lucky at the same time. On a clear day, you might even catch a cheeky glimpse of Morocco on the horizon

Just when you think the climb is over… bad news: it’s not. Time to keep grinding upwards toward the rocky cliff that hides the Cueva del Moro — a prehistoric cave tucked into the hillside. If luck’s on your side, you’ll be joined by a few airborne cheerleaders: giant griffon vultures (buitres leonados) circling above like feathery gliders. Don’t worry, they’re not here for you… probably. Also, a spicy little climb coming up—just 19%. A gentle slap to finish us off. Surface? Technically asphalt, but honestly, it’s got gravel aspirations.

What’s beyond? You might think you’ve reached the end of the world, and honestly, it feels like there’s nothing left… well, except for the views. Those? Magnifico as always. The surface? It’s a bit of everything – a mix of gravel, asphalt, and rocks like you’re doing a cross-country race… except without the cheering crowd (and, you know, the race part).

After that wild mix, it’s time to treat yourself to some relaxation. And what better place to do that than Zahara de los Atunes? I mean, the tuna’s not going to eat itself, right? But wait – Zahara isn’t just about devouring the freshest tuna in Spain. It’s also home to the Castillo de las Almadrabas, a 16th-century fortress that was once a pirate deterrent, a noble's pad, and the center of all things tuna-related. Today, the castle is like a history lesson mixed with some pretty cool street art. Seriously, the murals on the walls are almost as epic as the tuna!

And here’s a little fun fact for you: Zahara’s name actually comes from the "almadraba" tuna traps used here since medieval times. So, when you're munching on that tuna, just know you're part of a centuries-old tradition. Pretty cool, huh?

From Malibu (almost) to Zahara de los Atunes

Distance: 30 km

Elev Gain: 650 m

Time: 1.5 h

Type: Gravel with road bonus intro and outro

Strava link: https://www.strava.com/routes/3355489640473607646