Stage Description

This is a summary of the route/stages for the race. A more informative " Road Book " will be issued on race registration days, ( 10th and 11th July, 2010 ). The book will include a map with each stage route marked and a brief description and grid references. The route will also be marked and monitored by team of Check Point Monitors ( approximately every 12 km ) and patrolled by motor cycle marshals. ( Stage distances are approximate and may alter before the Road Book is finalized ).

Stage 1 : Loja to Alhama de Granada, 37km.

   ( Excluding neutralized start. )

The " start " will be from the Manzanil Hotel and the first 2 km will be neutralized to the Font Natura factory our water sponsor’s plant. The race starts from here and you will be on a tarmac road which soon becomes dirt and rock as you climb. This is a very hard ascent through desert landscape and the climb takes you to over 1420m. It will be very hot and there is no shade apart from at the various check points. Gradually descending tracks to Alhama de Granada will be tough on the legs but the finish will be at the sports centre where there is a swimming pool and massage available.

VIew Stage 1 with Garmin >>

Stage 2 : Alhama de Granada to Jatar, 45km.

The stage begins by descending into Alhama’ spectacular gorge. From here you travel through the full length of the gorge and then continues along sections of the GR7 before heading for Hell’s Path and the Sierra Almijara. The tough mountain track reaches a maximum of 1630m before you begin to descend via the forest tracks above the Puerto de Competa marble quarry. The whole route is a tough challenge with a steep final climb into the village of Jatar. The stage finish is at the Nacimiento campsite on the edge of town.

View part of Stage 2 with Garmin >>

Stage 3 : Jatar to Jayena, 42km.

The stage begins at the campsite and takes the scenic, tarmac road out to Lake Bermejales and on towards Fornes. Instead of entering Fornes you follow tracks via the Resinera and a steep dirt road climb to a forest airstrip and then its mountain tracks all the way through some incredibly beautiful scenery. You rejoin the GR7 and follow it towards Jayena. About 4km before the village you enter another track which takes you to the Bacal campsite finish.

View Stage 3 with Garmin >>

Stage 4 : Jayena to Santa Cruz del Comercio, 55km.

New route including tracks along the Bermejales lake shore and a campsite finish.

Stage 5 : Santa Cruz del Comercio to Loja, 36km.

New route from the overnight camp. Once in Santa Cruz the route follows the river bank via poplar groves to Valenzuela but soon the climbing begins. A hard climb to Torre Gallina is followed by a very long descent which takes you into a spectacular valley. The valley track takes you to Salar. From here more steep climbs and descents take you via the FONT NATURA factory and on to the Hotel Manzanil finish.

Note : Route and distances are subject to alteration but final route will be correct in the Road Book.

More images and photos of the Stages and 2009 race >>

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