Above Benidorm and the Costa Blanca, the Sierra de Aitana dominates the landscape at 1,558 m, a summit made famous by four Vuelta a España stage finishes. The Puerto de Tudons, which leads to its gates, is today one of the most popular training roads in the region.
A steady climb above the orange groves
From Sella, the road climbs 11.8 km for 633 m of elevation gain, averaging 5.4%, never exceeding a 10% gradient. The route rises gradually through a landscape of scrubland and pines, offering clear views over the inland valleys of Alicante and, on a clear day, the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. It’s this steadiness that makes it such a popular training route, away from the traffic of the coastal roads.
A summit reserved for race days
From the Puerto de Tudons, a road continues toward the true Aitana summit, but it crosses a military base and stays closed to the public for most of the year. The Vuelta a España has staged four finishes there, in 2001, 2004, 2016 and 2019, with winners including climbers such as Roberto Heras and Alejandro Valverde, before the road closes again after each race passage.
Getting the ride right
The steady gradient allows for a brisk, sustained rhythm without any brutal ramps, making it an ideal early-season endurance ride. Photochromic sunglasses are useful, as light levels can shift considerably between open stretches and the more wooded sections.
When to go
October to May, as the Costa Blanca enjoys mild, sunny weather year-round, unlike the Alpine massifs closed for winter. In summer, on the other hand, the heat can become tough to manage on this fairly shade-free road.
Good to know
Sella and Benidorm offer a wide choice of accommodation used to a cycling clientele, with many professional teams coming to train on the Costa Blanca in winter, and convenient access to other local classics such as the Coll de Rates.
