Tucked into the Cantabrian Mountains near Sabero, La Camperona has, in just a handful of editions, become one of the Vuelta a España’s most feared finishes despite its modest length.
A climb with two very different faces
From Sabero, the road climbs 8.8 km for around 570 m of elevation gain, averaging 6.5%. That deceptive average hides a sharply contrasted profile: a relatively rolling opening section gives way, in the final two kilometres around Sotillos de Sabero, to a closing ramp averaging close to 15%, with isolated pitches reaching 19.5%.
Three finishes, three decisive outcomes
La Camperona has hosted three Vuelta a España stage finishes, in 2014, 2016 and 2018, each time with a direct impact on the general classification. The brutality of its finish, tailor-made for the most explosive climbers, has made it a favoured launchpad for attacks in the race’s final weeks, when accumulated fatigue only amplifies the effect of the steepest gradients.
Getting the ride right
A compact or triple crankset, paired with a wide-range cassette of at least 32 teeth, is essential to get through the closing wall without being forced to put a foot down.
When to go
April to October, as the Cantabrian Mountains’ climate stays broadly mild during this window. Spring and early autumn offer more pleasant temperatures for tackling the demanding finish.
Good to know
Cistierna, some ten kilometres away, gives convenient access to the region and makes it easy to branch out to other climbs in the Cantabrian Mountains, in an area still relatively untouched by mass cycling tourism.