A-7000 to Malaga: My Dream Drive
Summer hols planned for Malaga? Skip the beach and head to the hills
Where: A-7000 Colmenar to Malaga
Car used:Mercedes GLA45 AMG
There's a road running through here...
"This incredible stretch of road was precluded by a horribly dull motorway trek from Granada. But the A-7000 is well worth enduring some dual carriageway for. The A92 takes you out of Granada past Santa Fe and Loja until the A45 (yes, on the GLA45 launch) for a brief stretch. Junction 123 takes you onto the A356 for a few km before turning right onto the MA-435. Another right just before Colmenar is the A-7000 that then twists and turns all the way to Malaga."
Why it's a dream drive:
"It's largely deserted, for a start. But of course an empty road isn't necessarily a good one. Hopefully the map image gives a good idea of the A-7000's appeal; the intensity is relentless, corner after corner being thrown at you for mile after mile.
... look, really!
"The majority of the A-7000 is really smooth too, but with cambers that allow the car to flow from bend to bend. Then it will throw an unsettling bump in braking zone, just to keep your concentration up.
"And the views. Oh the views! Even on the overcast day we spent there, to catch the sea as you're thrashing through the hills is truly spectacular. There's a real rally stage aura to it, especially when the road can mean you're not out of third gear for mile after mile."
These sort of hairpins characterise A-7000
"Right towards the end of the A-7000 it loops back on itself twice, quite literally like a rollercoaster. In the GLA45 it meant snagging the limiter in second, maybe grabbing third if you were feeling brave (and trusted the 'box) then just hanging on as the road darts left and right.
"Drag Streetview to the very start of the A-7000 too. The corners here are really well sighted and open compared to the vehicular maze that is to follow and a great opportunity to carry some speed. But already the tempo is there, bend following bend almost immediately.
"You can be in trouble if there's traffic further up the road though, as there really isn't the space or vision to overtake safely. The solution? Turn round where possible and enjoy it the other way round!
"It's a fairly drastic change once you hit Malaga too. Endless hairpins are very swiftly replaced with urban speed limits and buildings. Best get out of the tarmac rally mood sharpish!"
And this amazing route ends in Malaga!
"Without wishing to sound cheesy, you could stop almost anywhere along the A-7000 and drink in some incredible views. There's an image below of a dusty layby towards the end that looks over Malaga and the harbour. Even on a grey day it was something to admire.
"Driving through the Malaga national park was predictably jaw-dropping too, mountains stretching right out to the horizon.
"Should you wish to stop (or more likely, get caught in traffic), there were a few cafes dotted along the route. Not too busy in February mind, but probably useful in the summer. Other than those, it's straight into Malaga really as the road is quite empty."
Follow the route here
I still dream of those nice empty roads in Andalucia when on the M4/5!
Always said, answering "What is your ultimate car" situation, it'd be a Citroen Mehari-as long as it was garaged in Andalucia.
Sun and scenery....and Tapas, Fino and VERY late moonlit meals outdoors.
A brilliant road, the best thing is, there are loads more pretty much where ever you turn!! the A-355 to Montefrio is also superb, as is the A-356 from Colmenar to the lake, fast and loads of fun.
A brilliant road, the best thing is, there are loads more pretty much where ever you turn!! the A-355 to Montefrio is also superb, as is the A-356 from Colmenar to the lake, fast and loads of fun.
Matt
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