Top 5 Must Ride Cycling Climbs in Spain

Let’s countdown our top 5 must ride cycling climbs on our Spanish Road bike tours.

4 / LA PANDERA | Jaén, Andalucia

“Al-Andalus’ Agonizing Ascent”

La Pandera is one of the toughest climbs in Spain.

Winding your way up a road closed to traffic, the sense of loneliness hits you most on the 15% gradient. Your only company may be the names of famous cyclists painted on the tarmac as you celebrate at the summit with towering radio masts as company and tiny olive trees dotting the landscape far below.

Steep and unshaded, it is not to be missed in the summer sun for those who like a challenge…and heat stroke.

3 / LAGOS DE COVADONGA | Picos de Europa

“Warrior Rise”

One of the most epic top 5 cycling climbs in Spain is this beauty in the Picos. Many a past La Vuelta a España has been fought here and often given the honour of Etapa Reina (Queen Stage).

This twisting climb begins by the basilica Cathedral of Covadonga, and rises to the dramatic glacial lake of Enol.

A longer ascent with an average of almost 7%, it flattens out the last 2 km with even a slight dip downhill as a… “treat”.

However, the hardest part midway being a muscle shrieking 700m grind with an average 15% gradient. This is nicknamed, “La Huesera” or “The Boneyard” for good reason.

Seriously, you’ll be praying it ends at some stage.

2/ PICO VELETA | Sierra Nevada, Andalucia

“Go Higher in Spain”

The climb to the Sierra Nevada (25 kilometres and 9% average gradient to a height of 2,500 metres) is one of the great climbs in world cycling.

Don´t stop there, keep going and reach 3,380 meters at the top of the highest paved road in Europe

We say “paved” with a pinch of salt as the road is in incredibly rough condition over 2500m.

Weather conditions only allow this if there has been no snow in late Spring.

Rewarding climb, amazing views, Bring your oxygen mask!

1/ THE ANGLIRU | Asturias, North Spain

“Not for the Nervous”

La Vuelta organisers wanted something in the national race to rival the famed mountains of Le Tour (Alpe d´Huez and Ventoux).

They certainly found a hill to be reckoned with.

And painful it certainly is. The climb is 12.5km long with the first half of the climb not too demanding.

The first 5kms are at an average gradient of 7.6%, the 6th km is 2.1% (that feels like a downhill!) before the incredible last 6kms are an average of 13%, with a ramp at almost 24% at the Alto de El Angliru…….gulp!

Sorry, we can not sugar coat this one.

It is an absolute beast and David Millar, after riding it, threw his bike into the gutter, outraged that the race organisers had made the pros ride it (in the rain!).

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