The road leaves La Calahorra under its Renaissance castle at around 1,260 m and climbs roughly 13 km to the pass at 2,041 m, holding a steady 6 to 6.5 per cent with ramps of six and eight rather than anything that bites. The lower half crosses the dry, open country of the Marquesado del Zenete, then the road works into planted pine forest and starts bending back on itself for the upper section. Andalusia rebuilt this north slope in 2022, resurfacing 18 km and widening it to six metres, so the tarmac is good both up and down; the pass carries around 200 vehicles a day and you can ride long stretches without meeting one. The top is a broad firebreak with a car park, the cross-country ski station and a recreation area, and a view north over the Marquesado plain to the Sierra de Baza and the Filabres. The refuge building at the pass has been closed for years, so carry your own water and food, and take a jacket: snow is normal up here in winter, the road is usually cleared, and the descent is cold in any season.