Classic Ride: Alto de l’Angliru

In our Classic Rides section we cover the absolute climbing classics of cycling. By now we have already seen several beautiful classics pass by, including:. Mont Ventoux, Sella Ronda and Sa Calobra. This time, Erwin and Erwin (also known as V. and R.), our guest bloggers from the Mountain High Chasers, take you to the feared but also stunning Alto de l’Angliru. This climb in the northeast of Spain, in the region of Asturias, is the Spanish answer to the Matterhorn in the Alps. Stelvio And the Mortirolo. Many riders will start this challenge with hunched knees. Not for nothing has it been a real challenge in the Vuelta. We think this is a crazy climb. Truly a Classic Ride: Alto de L’Angliru

(cover photo: (c) Astur Cycling // www.asturcycling.com)

Text and photos: Mountain High Chasers/ Erwin Visser

The Angliru at a glance

• Where: in Asturias, northern Spain, from La Vega de Riosa.
• Numbers: about 12.5 kilometres at an average of around 10%, with sections up to 23% in the final kilometres.
• Character: the first part is manageable, then come the notorious steep ramps such as the Cueña les Cabres.
• Gearing: take a compact chainset with a large rear sprocket (34x34 or easier).
• Best time: June to September. The summit is often misty and wet.

Updated in October 2026 with the key facts and practical tips. The story below is our original article.

The Mountain

‘What’s the point of riding up a mountain when you are faster on foot?’ A beautiful quote to start with if you are still reading the book ‘Mountain High’ at the breakfast table in the morning. Today it is finally time, a mountain I haven’t looked forward to that much. The statement that a mountain has to be faced must come from somewhere here; it just can’t be any other way. The Angliru is truly a mountain to face. A legendary ascent from several editions of the Vuelta, but for many the very reason not to start the Vuelta if the Angliru is on the program. Why should we then climb it? Because it is one of ‘our’ mountains; why else? That means that ‘our’ rules apply to the Angliru before we can put a sticker on it: not getting off is the most important thing.

Heater

Before starting such a climb, you want to be sure that you are warm. A distance of over 70 kilometers with almost 1500 meters of elevation gain seemed to us sufficient. What a pleasure it is to drive through this landscape. It feels somewhat more beautiful than the Alps and the Pyrenees, but the gradient rates are even higher. You are, so to speak, driving through an optical illusion of winding roads, pine trees and friendly mountain peaks. Today Erwin (R.) and I are driving together with Robert and Jetze.

Ready

The Garmins beep, turning left at 170m to the Barrio Puenta Alta. Before we start the climb, we decide to prepare ourselves mentally while enjoying a cup of coffee and two colas. The shoes click smoothly on the pedals and we now turn onto the Barrio Puenta Alta. I ask Robert again how his first experience in the mountains was. He answers that he finds it fantastic here and the climbing rates that will roll under our wheels immediately flash through my mind. Perhaps he is indeed in the right position; he has no idea what awaits him.

A monster!

From here on, the road starts to climb. In the distance, dark clouds are gathering, exactly where we need to go. Now I’m not only worried about whether we’ll even get to the top, but also whether I have the right clothes with me. My legs are moving around nicely, and together we can maintain a good pace. It’s a pleasant road. Every now and then we come across a house and a Spanish man who is squinting with a grin. The sun from earlier in the day has completely disappeared. The air is taking on other colors, especially in the gray spectrum.

Wise

Robert is sensible and lets us (Jetze, R., and myself) drive. I think of him when the three of us get to the flat part. This monster climb dares to make a wink of an eye after about three kilometers, with a drop of more than a kilometer. I am glad that I am still on R.'s side because Jetze is putting up quite a fight here. With the grey clouds in the air, the wind has also started to blow, and I wouldn't like to be alone right now. The speed is decreasing and the percentages are increasing; at that moment, I decide to let R. and Jetze go. This mountain has scared me enough on paper to not go and play some bluffing poker here. 

Painful encounter

The moment I let the hole drop, I first encounter the ‘real’ Angliru. A swirling path with a number of sharp turns shortly followed by the first serious percentages. 17% and considering the two men’s hammering a few meters ahead of me, I’m still not out of the woods. I immediately set the choke to coffee bean grinder, but the coffee grinder is now spinning like a Senseo, a lot of noise, but a meager result.

In this case, I’m traveling at a speed of about five kilometers per hour on the asphalt. Meanwhile, I’ve lost sight of R. and Jetze. Not because the gap has gotten so much bigger now; I can still hear them grumbling. But rather because of the extremely dense fog in which we ended up. From nowhere, we’re driving into a no-man’s-land, a land where the man and his bike must manage to get through.

And he’s gone

After a few minutes, the noise in front of me also disappeared and I can hear only the rattling of my own chain. The drops fall from my helmet onto the steering wheel. The mist remains stuck to my painful legs. The percentages have become somewhat more friendly again, but rarely do I see less than 12% on my screen. I hesitate for a moment; I might have already passed that notorious section, because steeper than the previous kilometer can’t it be?

The answer doesn’t take long to come; in the fog I see a large sign with the information for the next kilometer. The first and only thing I read is: max 23%. That’s what we’re going for. The lines on the road tell me to drive in the middle because the fog seems to be getting thicker. I drive from line to line and my thoughts go deep. The promised 20% has begun and my cadence is literally zero. Every stroke brings my crank to a standstill before I can make the next one. I try to distract myself from the pain and especially from the thoughts that I won’t make it.

Quitting is not an option

The grip of the asphalt was never so strong for the yellow mark under my shoe. And at that moment, out of nowhere, a shadow appears from the mist. The shadow takes on the shapes of a cyclist with his bike in his hand. And before I even realize that someone is there, I hear Jetze’s Drenthe accent shouting at me: “Nice guy! Come on!!” It somewhat surprises me that Jetze is in this shape, but at that moment he gives me exactly the push I need. Instead of giving up, I increase the cadence and roll over the last few meters above 20%. 

Made in heaven

The percentages take on ‘normal’ forms again, and the pressure can be a bit off the legs. Still, it keeps fluctuating around 14%, so I don’t know to what extent the pressure from the legs is off, but it feels fantastic. According to the statistics, the end should be in sight, but for now I don’t see a hand in sight. Until suddenly a deep blue sky appears and the sun greets me kindly. Suddenly I’m in a wonderful environment with high peaks, bare rocks and grazing cows. This, combined with a winding road, puts me in a standing position on the pedals and I even switch to the outer gear. The pain is gone for a while and for the first time I really enjoy this climb. In the last bend I see R. who came over out of curiosity (after he had crossed the finish line). What a surprise, he shouts something at me and he turns quickly after me.

Once we reach the sign that says I’m there, those yellow stickers can finally hit the asphalt. Never before has a climb caused so much pain and never before has a climb made me hesitate so much. Make sure you know where you’re starting when you climb this giant. Take the statistics into account and think about whether you still have the energy to keep going. But once you’re up there, it’s all worth it! 

As soon as we have shared our first experiences, an astonished farmer comes to us. In Spanish, he lets us know that he finds her idiotic, that cyclists are here, but at the same time he respects her performance. And that’s how it is, you have to be a bit crazy, but what a great feeling it is to be back on a new peak!

Overnight stay in Asturias in a bike hotel

Asturias is a cycling-mad region, yet there aren't too many dedicated bike hotels. One of the hotels you can book with confidence is the Artim Asturias Hotel Not only do they have the Cycling Friendly label (including a washroom, key storage, secure parking, etc.), they also offer multiple routes and are true cycling enthusiasts. So you can book with confidence!

Another beautiful experience is to be in one of the many Paradores to spend the night. These are historic buildings, old manor houses and, quite rightly, impressive places to stay overnight. In Asturias you have several of them, including: Parador Cangas de Onis, They are located near the Angliru and Lagos de Covadonga. They are accustomed to cyclists, although they may not have everything you find at a traditional hotel. Cycling Destination Approved location would be expected. Here is the link to it hotel.

Below you will also find a handy map, with Angliru selected. This way you can see which accommodation is closest in proximity.

Want to know more about cycling in Asturias and the Angliru? Then take a look at the page on Tourism Asturias

Questions about the Angliru

Can an ordinary amateur ride the Angliru?

With easy gearing and a steady pace, yes, but it is hard. Getting off on the steepest ramps is no shame; getting back on there is tricky, though.

What else can you ride in Asturias?

The Lagos de Covadonga, the climbs around Oviedo and the coast. Asturias is green, quiet and has wonderful food.

More climbs and routes in Asturias are on our destination page: Asturias.