Crossing the Sierra de Gredos between the provinces of Ávila and Toledo, this pass owes its fame to an ancient switchbacked Roman road visible from the modern route.
A steady climb to 1,352 metres
From Ramacastañas, the road climbs 15.1 km for 864 m of elevation gain, averaging 5.7%, with a steeper section reaching 9.3%. The profile stays largely consistent throughout, with no real brutal ramps.
A Roman road visible from the route
On the northern side, riders can glimpse the calzada romana, an old paved road of tight switchbacks that climbed the slope directly, a remnant of an ancient route crossing the Sierra de Gredos between Castile and Extremadura.
Getting the ride right
A compact or triple crankset is more than enough for this steadily-graded pass. Carry extra bottle cages, as heat can be intense in late spring and summer on this exposed side.
When to go
March to November, as the pass is passable for much of the year thanks to its moderate altitude, unlike the major Pyrenean or Alpine passes.
Good to know
Arenas de San Pedro, below the pass, makes a practical base for exploring the Sierra de Gredos, while Mombeltrán, on the southern side, has a 15th-century medieval castle worth a stop.
