3.Castilblanco-Almaden de la Plata

(1)Castilblanco de los Arroyos - (2)Entrance Finca del Berrocal: 0-16,5 km

(2)Entrance Finca del Berrocal - (3)Almaden de la Plata: 16,5 - 29,2 (12,7 km)

ATTENTION: A road is being constructed parallel to the highway. It is not yet completed to Castilblanco, but in the year 2024 it goes from Yerbabuena estate to the entrance of Berrocal park. They have also built two fountains within the park, which makes this challenging stage somewhat easier.

ATTENTION CYCLISTS: It's impossible to climb the Calvario peak at kilometer 25.7 with the bicycle, so we'll have to dismount and push. Despite having marked an alternative route for bicycles, we believe it's worth crossing the park even if in the end, we have to get off the bike to climb the Calvario. But if you're someone who doesn't want to put your feet on the ground, you have the option of reaching Almadén by road.

This stage is divided into two distinct parts:

We leave the hostel by Antonio Machado street until we reach a roundabout where we take the road on the left (SE-405). We follow this road for 16.5 km, the terrain is continuously undulating (photo 1 km 4.5).

The second stage begins at 16.5 km, where we find the entrance to the property del Berrocal (photo 2), in the Sierra Norte Natural Park, a landscape of great beauty (photos 3, 4 and 5). The path runs onto firm ground until we near the end, where we find the ascent to Calvario (photo 6 km 25.7). This isn´t a long climb (about 1km) but very steep.

Upon reaching the top of Calvary (photo 7 km 27.3) we still have a very steep descent down a path of large stones (photo 8 km 27.6) which leads directly to Almadén de la Plata.

Photos