El Caballón (Varas River)

Start Town Altitude Elevation Gain Length Gradient Difficulty Rating
Varas River 726m 498m 17.5 km 2.9% 250 ****








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Climb Description

El Caballón is a nice climb that follows a scenic road through the province of Cordoba in southern Spain. This is the more challenging side of the pass, despite the gentle average gradient.

The difficulties come in the first 4km, which contains several short stretches where the gradient is up around 15%. Once you have conquered this, the climb is easy and is mostly gently rolling all the way to the top.

El Caballón has a very remote feel as it climbs through the olive groves that are so typical of the region, but it can be reached on a long day ride from the city of Cordoba. The excellent road surface, the fine views and the lack of traffic all help to make it a thoroughly enjoyable climb.

El Caballón is open throughout the year.




Roads & Traffic

The road is in very good condition and there is little traffic throughout.




Alternative Routes

El Caballón can also be climbed starting from the River Cuzna.




Nearby Climbs


Cueva de los Murciélagos

La Pandera





Cycling Holidays

We can arrange customized cycling holidays to the mountains of Andalucia; including the climb to El Caballón. If you would be interested in this, please contact us to discuss the options and to put together an itinerary.

El Caballón can also be climbed as an optional route extension on our Seville to Granada cycling holiday.

You can find out more in the links below about this, and some of the other tours, that we currently run in Spain.






Andalucia Sunflower Fields
Spanish FlagSpain

Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 8 Days
Level: Difficulty Medium to Challenging
Price: from €1,590 EUR
*Bike Hire Included

Lagos de Covadonga
Spanish FlagSpain

Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 8 Days
Level: Difficulty Challenging-Hard
Price: from €1,490 EUR
Tramuntana Mountains - Mallorca
Spanish FlagSpain

Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 7 Days
Level: Difficulty Medium to Challenging
Price: from €1,420 EUR