INTRO
Stage 20 is the queen stage of the 2026 Vuelta a España and could well decide the overall race. After a long transition through the Granada countryside, the route tackles the Cat 1 climb of El Purche not once but twice via a loop through Monachil, then adds the Cat 1 climb of El Duque before finishing atop the brutal, uncategorized summit of Collado del Alguacil, a savage 8.3km ramp averaging 9.8%. With four hard climbs packed into the final 100km, this stage is built for fireworks among the GC contenders.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. The gradient profile of Stage 20 escalates dramatically toward the finish. The early Blacares climb is a gentle Cat 3 warm-up at just 3.7% over 7.7km, but the terrain steepens sharply with the double ascent of El Purche, 8.2km at a punishing 8.1% average with pitches into double digits. El Duque follows at 7.4km and 8.3%, offering little recovery before the final blow: the unclassified summit finish at Collado del Alguacil, 8.3km at a savage 9.8% average that will shred any legs still standing after 180km of racing.
The route leaves La Calahorra and rolls west through Jérez del Marquesado and Guadix before climbing the modest Blacares pass. From there riders descend into the Granada valley, passing through Quéntar and Dúdar en route to Cenes de la Vega, then loop up and around the Sierra Nevada foothills via Monachil, tackling the twisting switchbacks of El Purche twice in a demanding double-loop finale. The road then threads through Pinos Genil and Güejar Sierra before the final brutal ramp up to Collado del Alguacil, a narrow mountain road that climbs relentlessly to the finish.
With four categorized climbs and nearly 187km in the saddle, gearing for Stage 20 is all about climbing efficiency. A compact crankset paired with a wide-range cassette (11-32 or larger) is essential for surviving the repeated 8-10% pitches of El Purche, El Duque, and the Collado del Alguacil summit finish. Riders should prioritize a light, stiff climbing bike, and given the day's cumulative fatigue, comfortable, well-broken-in shoes and a well-fitted saddle matter as much as raw power on this brutal queen stage.
La Calahorra is famed for its striking Renaissance castle perched above the town, well worth a visit before the stage. The route passes through Guadix, known for its cave dwellings carved into the soft rock, and finishes near Granada, home to the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada ski resort. Cyclists visiting the region can base themselves in Granada to combine climbing on El Purche and the Sierra Nevada roads with the city's rich Moorish architecture and lively tapas culture.
ROUTE MAP
