BALUTIA 2026 CHECKPOINT LIST
Balutia was an ancient Arab province that spanned the territories of Córdoba, Ciudad Real, and Badajoz. This adventure traces its former frontier, linking vast and demanding landscapes that test those who ride it.
870 km
+11.000
60% road / 40% gravel
133 hours
START / FINISH: Pozoblanco, Los Pedroches
Pozoblanco, in the heart of the ancient Arab province of Balutia, hosts the start of the participants. The route begins by crossing the dehesa of Los Pedroches, the largest in Europe, beneath a sea of centuries-old holm oaks. Walled paths, animals grazing freely, and countryside in full springtime splendor will lead the cyclists toward the neighboring Valle de Alcudia.
CP1: SOLANA DEL PINO
After crossing the beautiful mining track of El Horcajo and passing through the old railway tunnel, we will briefly return to the tarmac before riding along a traditional gravel road toward the first checkpoint in the small village of Solana del Pino.
CP2: CastLE de puebla de alcocer
In the province of Badajoz, the La Serena region stretches across vast distances, enriched by its remarkable wetlands, notably the La Serena and Orellana reservoirs. Cerro Masatrigo and the Cogolludo Bridge are key landmarks along the route, and between them, Puebla de Alcocer Castle presents first a physical challenge and then a stunning viewpoint over the surrounding landscape.
CP3: El Partenón de Don Benito
We follow the Zújar River and its ancient, winding irrigation channels toward the towns of Villanueva de la Serena and Don Benito. Before that, we will cross the river via a large concrete ford next to Entrerríos beach. Not a bad spot to cool off before heading toward Don Benito’s distinctive Parthenon and picking up the pace along beautifully smooth gravel roads.
CP4: Pueblonuevo del terrible
The route now heads south. The terrain becomes more demanding at times in Benquerencia de la Serena and later in Puerto Hurraco. The Guadiato Valley awaits after re-entering the province of Córdoba, crossing the Zújar once again. As we crest a rise, the imposing chimneys of Pueblonuevo del Terrible come into view in the distance, along with its former industrial complex, a place worth passing through slowly and taking the time to observe.
CP5: Hornachuelos
We enter one of the longest and most remote road sections of the route. The tarmac twists through Mediterranean forest, winding between pines and holm oaks, while the climbs grow steadily tougher. A demanding stretch best taken with patience if we don’t want to blow up and end up seeking shelter at the Monastery of San Calixto, deep within the Hornachuelos Natural Park.
CP6: Puente de las Doncellas, Montoro
We descend to the foothills of Sierra Morena, crossing mountain olive groves along broken roads. At the Guadalmellato dam, we find smooth tarmac again, guiding us toward flatter, neatly lined olive groves in Adamuz, just before reaching the Puente de las Doncellas, with its distinctive reddish rock, over the Guadalquivir River.
CP7: Cardeña
After climbing back over Sierra Morena, we return to the Los Pedroches region, where the route dives once again into the densest dehesa of the Iberian Peninsula, following double singletracks along ancient drove roads. After passing through Villanueva de Córdoba, the final stretch picks up speed toward Pozoblanco along walled paths, where Balutia 2026 comes to an end.
