Sotosalbos Gran Fondo 2026

The route

La Nico, as it is commonly known, reaches its 10th edition from Sotosalbos, a village at 1,200 m on the southern slopes of the Guadarrama Sierra. A single distance of 133 km climbs and descends the Navafría, La Quesera, and Arcones passes on the northern side, with a first half of continuous climbing from the plateau and a more technical second half through the northern sierra valleys. It is a sportive with its own strong identity: small, community-minded, and with a demanding profile that makes no attempt to look easier than it is.

The route climbs north from Sotosalbos, crossing the sierra via the harder northern slopes, which have less traffic, more forest, and more sustained gradients. Navafría (1,776 m) is the main pass: the ascent from the north is long and consistent, without the false-flat sections found on the southern side. La Quesera and Arcones are less well known but fit well within the route structure. The second half, returning to Sotosalbos via the Lozoya valley and surrounding area, is the more technical section.

July in the Guadarrama Sierra means heat on the plateau and manageable temperatures on the passes. In Sotosalbos and on the Segovia plateau, 28-35°C is normal in July: heat is the main challenge, far more so than wind. Managing hydration and not going out too hard in the early kilometres while still feeling fresh is the key call. On the northern passes, particularly Navafría, NW wind at 20-30 km/h can appear and bring some relief on the climb, though it also drops the temperature sharply. On the return sections to Sotosalbos across the plateau, thermal SW wind can develop in the afternoon, typically between 2pm and 5pm, which for riders coming from the north tends to be a direct headwind.

Sotosalbos is 12 km from Segovia on the SG-V-5113 secondary road. The village is small and the event has the atmosphere of a community ride with many returning participants year after year. July in Guadarrama: start early, carry more water than you think you need, and do not underestimate the heat. If you are spending time in the area, Pedraza (8 km away) is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Castile.

Variants and GPX

Past editions

Real Open-Meteo weather on each edition day.

How to register

Registration, price and rules are on the official website of the organization. Official march website →

More information

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