Cycling in Spain
35 spots written up in Spain, across every type of ride.
Alto de Abantos: the Madrid summit above the Escorial monastery
Climbing Alto de Abantos from San Lorenzo de El Escorial: 14.2 km, 803 m of elevation gain, a Vuelta classic overlooking the royal monastery.
Alto de Aitana: the Costa Blanca's highest, hardest climb
Climbing Alto de Aitana from Alcoleja: 22.3 km, 1,260 m of elevation gain, 5.8% average — the Vuelta a España's toughest Costa Blanca summit finish.
Alto de la Farrapona: the wild climb to the Somiedo lakes
Climbing Alto de la Farrapona from Pola de Somiedo: 18.6 km, 1,100 m of elevation gain — a remote Vuelta a España climb in Somiedo Natural Park.
Alto de Velefique: the Vuelta's arid, wild climb in the Sierra de los Filabres
Climbing the Alto de Velefique from the village of Velefique: profile, hairpins, difficulty and tips for this harsh, demanding Vuelta a España climb.
Alto del Fito: the Asturian viewpoint above the Picos de Europa
Climbing the Alto del Fito from Arriondas: 7.8 km, 580 m of elevation gain, a Vuelta a España climb with views over the Picos de Europa.
Alto del Naranco: Oviedo's landmark urban climb
Climbing Alto del Naranco from Oviedo: 6.8 km, 422 m of elevation gain, 6.2% average — a Vuelta a España classic starting right in the city centre.
Bola del Mundo: the Vuelta's hardest final ramp from Navacerrada
Climbing Bola del Mundo from Navacerrada: 12.3 km, 1,058 m of elevation gain, 8.6% average — up to 23% on the final concrete access road.
SpainCap de Formentor, Mallorca's cliffside ride to the lighthouse
Cycling to Cap de Formentor from Port de Pollença: profile, the cliffside road to the lighthouse, difficulty, summer restrictions and practical tips.
SpainColl de Rates: the pro cycling classic on the Costa Blanca
Climbing the Coll de Rates from Parcent: profile, difficulty, best season and why this climb is a winter training staple for pro teams.
Coll de Sóller: the historic road through the Serra de Tramuntana
Climbing Coll de Sóller from Bunyola: 13 km, 470 m of elevation gain, a switchback ascent along Mallorca's old historic road.
Cycling the Puerto de la Ragua from La Calahorra: Andalusia's great pass
Climb the Puerto de la Ragua from La Calahorra: 13.4 km at 6.3% average, a 2,041 m pass between Granada and Almería.
Gravel riding in Cabo de Gata, Spain's desert on the Mediterranean
Gravel riding in Cabo de Gata from San José: volcanic tracks, salt flats and Spain's desert landscape, distance and practical tips.
SpainGravel riding in the Empordà, at the heart of Girona's cycling scene
Gravel riding in the Empordà from Girona: farm tracks and cork oak forests in the Gavarres hills, distance and practical tips.
La Camperona: the Cantabrian Mountains' vicious late finish
Climbing La Camperona from Sabero: 8.8 km, 570 m of elevation gain, 6.5% average with a 15% finish — a Vuelta a España finish decided three times.
Lagos de Covadonga: the legendary Vuelta a España finish
Climbing the Alto de los Lagos de Covadonga from the sanctuary, in the Picos de Europa: profile, difficulty and tips for this legendary climb.
Los Machucos: Cantabria's inhuman ramps
Climbing Los Machucos from Bustablado: 6.8 km, 625 m of elevation gain, 9.2% average — one of the Vuelta's most feared climbs, with ramps up to 26%.
Montserrat by bike, Catalonia's sacred mountain
Climbing to Montserrat from Monistrol de Montserrat: Benedictine monastery, jagged peaks, profile, difficulty and practical tips.
Peña Cabarga: Cantabria's brutal balcony above Santander
Climbing Peña Cabarga from Heras: 5.9 km, 543 m of elevation gain, 9.4% average with pitches to 19% — a short, savage Vuelta a España finish above Santander.
Pico Veleta: the highest paved climb in Europe
Climbing Pico Veleta from Granada: about 46 km, over 1,800 m of elevation gain up to Europe's highest paved road.
Puerto de Ancares: the Cantabrian balcony of stone-and-thatch villages
Climbing Puerto de Ancares from Tejedo de Ancares: 7.6 km, 679 m of elevation gain, a 14% final ramp inside a biosphere reserve.
Puerto de Cotos: the steady climb of the Sierra de Guadarrama
Climbing Puerto de Cotos from Rascafría: 15 km, 710 m of elevation gain, a steady ascent at the heart of the Guadarrama, a Vuelta classic.
Puerto de la Morcuera: the classic climb for Madrid's cyclists
Climbing the Puerto de la Morcuera from Rascafría: 13.1 km, 659 m of elevation gain, 5% average — an accessible pass in the Sierra de Guadarrama.
Puerto de Navacerrada, the classic ride for Madrid cyclists
Climbing the Puerto de Navacerrada from Cercedilla, in the Sierra de Guadarrama: profile, difficulty and tips for this pass close to Madrid.
Puerto de Pajares: the historic border between Asturias and Castile
Climbing Puerto de Pajares from Campomanes: 13 km, 912 m of elevation gain, 7.1% average — a historic Vuelta a España climb since 1945.
Puerto de Somiedo: a gentle giant in bear country
Climbing Puerto de Somiedo from La Riera: 19.4 km, 992 m of elevation gain, 5.1% average — a scenic Asturian pass through a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Puerto de Tudons: the gateway to Aitana, the roof of the Costa Blanca
Climbing the Puerto de Tudons from Sella: 11.8 km at 5.4% average, the classic pro winter-training road on the Costa Blanca, below Alto de Aitana.
Puerto del Pico: the switchbacked Roman road through the Sierra de Gredos from Ramacastañas
Climbing the Puerto del Pico from Ramacastañas: 15.1 km, 864 m of elevation gain, 5.7% average — a pass famous for its paved Roman switchbacks.
Puig Major from Sóller: Mallorca's great pro training climb
Climbing the Puig Major from Sóller: profile, difficulty, best season and tips for this legendary Mallorcan cycling climb.
Sa Calobra: Mallorca's most photographed climb
Climbing Sa Calobra from the cove, in the Serra de Tramuntana: profile, the famous tie-knot hairpin, difficulty and tips for this legendary climb.
Sierra de la Pandera: Andalusia's decisive Vuelta a España wall
Climbing the Sierra de la Pandera from Valdepeñas de Jaén: 13.5 km at 7.3% average, one of the most feared climbs of the Vuelta a España.
Sierra Nevada from Granada, up to Europe's highest road
Climbing the Sierra Nevada from Granada to Pradollano: profile, access to Europe's highest paved road, difficulty and tips.
SpainThe Angliru: the hardest climb in professional cycling
Climbing the Alto de l'Angliru from Riosa in Asturias: profile, the Cueña les Cabres ramp above 23%, difficulty and tips.
The Vía Verde de la Sierra by bike with kids, between vultures and tunnels
A family bike ride on the old railway line of the Vía Verde de la Sierra, in Andalusia: 30 tunnels, Egyptian vultures, distance and tips.
The Vía Verde del Plazaola by bike with kids, from the Basque Country to Navarre
A family bike ride on the former Plazaola railway line, between Andoain and Irurtzun: forest tunnels, distance and practical tips.
Xorret de Catí: the Vuelta's legendary wall
Climbing Xorret de Catí from Castalla: 3.8 km, 444 m of elevation gain, 11.6% average — one of Spanish cycling's steepest Vuelta a España climbs.