Ruta sierra de Alcaraz

This route can start at any point. I, personally, have done it several times in both directions and it is a 'delight'. I started it in Villapalacios: leaving the village on the N-322, heading towards Jaén. Upon reaching San Blas, you need to turn towards Bienservida (CM-3205), puerto del Bellotar (1220 m.). In this direction, it is not excessively hard (from the other side, the ramps are 8% and 10%). Descent towards El Bellotar, a false flat and we arrive at Villaverde del Guadalimar to take the CM-3204 and tackle the puerto del Arenal (1150 m.), during the descent, a detour and obligatory stop at Los Chorros (it is 4.5 km in and 4.5 km out, with a rather steep incline), a natural area of extraordinary beauty, the source of the Mundo river. We continue towards Riopar, where we connect with the CM-412. Leaving Riopar, we run along a false flat to quickly face the puerto de Las Crucetas (1300 m.), in this direction with ramps of 8% and 10%. On the descent, Zapateros, Las Parideras and Salobre. Upon leaving Salobre, a left turn, a must-pass through the narrow El Hocino, an impressive gorge 1 km long, bed of the Salobre river, we connect with the N-322, eight more km and arrival at the starting point, Villapalacios. The total distance, according to the microcomputer of the mountain bike, is 89 km, all in the heart of the Sierra de Alcaraz, with extraordinary scenic and ecological richness. It can be done interchangeably with a road bike or a mountain bike (in my case, with my TREK, Antelope), the asphalt is in perfect condition throughout the route. One last recommendation: don't forget your camera ...