Epic Climb & Gravel Challenge in the Sierras de Tejeda

🚴‍♂️ Cycling Otívar to Lentegí via the Goat Path – Sierras de Tejeda Adventure

🏔️ This ride had everything – steep climbs, quiet mountain roads, challenging gravel sections, jaw-dropping views, a fast 10km descent, and even a well-earned roast chicken lunch at the end! I was staying just a few kilometres south of Otívar, a charming whitewashed town in the Granada province of southern Spain. Otívar is historically known for its agriculture – sugar cane, avocados, mangos, and especially chirimoyas (custard apples).
With the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park right on its doorstep, it’s a perfect starting point for hikers, cyclists, and adventure seekers. The famous Goat Path (Carretera de la Cabra) runs straight through the town, linking the coast to the mountain passes inland. Leaving my accommodation, I made the short spin up to Otívar before turning right towards Lentegí – a small village perched in the hills about 5km away. This section was a steady climb, but the views were worth every pedal stroke.
The road was beautifully quiet, winding through pine-covered slopes with the dramatic backdrop of the Sierras. In Lentegí, the tarmac ends – and that’s where the adventure really began. The only way forward was along a gravel track cutting through a canyon. On a mountain bike, this would be fun. On a road bike with thin tyres? Let’s just say it was interesting! Some sections had deep gravel where my tyres slipped, forcing me to walk for short stretches.
The heat was intense, I’d completely run out of water, and the climb out of the canyon was brutally tough. But the scenery was absolutely epic – not a single car, just the crunch of tyres on gravel and the sound of the wind through the pines. Eventually, the gravel track brought me back onto the Goat Path road, high in the mountains. From here, it was all about the reward – a spectacular 10km descent snaking all the way down the valley back towards Otívar. Perfect sweeping bends, endless views, and barely any traffic made it one of the most enjoyable downhills I’ve ever ridden. Back in Otívar, I treated myself to lunch at a lovely local restaurant – a big roast chicken with dessert, and plenty of cold drinks to rehydrate.
The only problem? My accommodation was at the top of a VERY steep hill… the real final climb of the day!

⸻ Ride details:
📍 Location: Otívar & Lentegí, Province of Granada, Spain
🌄 Route: Otívar → Lentegí → Goat Path → Otívar
🚴‍♂️ Distance: ~25km (with gravel section)
📈 Highlights: Quiet mountain roads, Sierras de Tejeda scenery, challenging gravel, epic 10km descent
⚠️ Challenges: Deep gravel on road tyres, heat, no water for part of the ride

⸻ About the Goat Path (Carretera de la Cabra): This historic mountain road connects the coastal town of Almuñécar with Granada via winding climbs and panoramic views. It’s a favourite with cyclists for its combination of long ascents, peaceful surroundings, and sweeping descents. Parts of the route pass through the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park, a protected area home to pine forests, rocky ridges, and wildlife such as ibex and eagles.

⸻ If you enjoyed this ride, check out my other cycling vlogs from Spain, including climbs in the Sierra Nevada and rides through the Alpujarras. 💬 Have you ridden the Goat Path before? Let me know your experience in the comments!

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⸻ My Gear for This Ride:
🚲 Bike: Road bike with 25mm tyres (not ideal for deep gravel – but it made the ride more adventurous!)
🎥 Filming: GoPro Hero + DJI drone
📍 Navigation: Garmin Edge GPS