Every year it is a delight to watch the Vuelta start. In 2021 it was a wonderful edition. For the spectator, this great race is a feast to watch. Not only because of the suspense, the Vuelta is often decided in seconds instead of minutes, but also because of the many, unknown climbs and goat paths that they manage to find every year.
Spain is a wonderful cycling country anyway. The famous regions like Catalonia, Mallorca, Tenerife and the Basque Country are a must-see. But there is so much more. We’ve picked out three regions/places where the Vuelta will pass this year and where you should definitely cycle too. The Vuelta shows you Spain!
1. Castile and Leon – Burgos
Every year there is the Burgos round. A small stage is raced around this municipality of 175,000 inhabitants in Castile and León, in the north of Spain. Spain. In the Vuelta 2021, as well as in the Vuelta a Burgos, they took the magnificent Espinosa de Los Monteros. Picon Blanco with them. 7.6 kilometers at 9.3% and that for a climb that few know. This one is 100 km in a straight line. In that respect, you might as well head east, to the Espacia Natural de la Sierra de La Demanda. That sounds like a mouthful, but you can climb there beautifully. With a gentle climb like the Valle Del Sol but also the Alto Cruz de la Demanda, you can easily get out of the way!
The landscape is generally very hilly, but you can also choose for flatter routes. A very good tip: the Via Verde, but only on a bike that can also be used off-road. The roads are relatively flat and offer stunning views. You can also start the Camino del Cid in Burgos, following in the footsteps of knight Rodrigo Diaz ‘El Cid’
2. Galicia
Anyone who watched the series ‘Farina’ on Netflix can imagine what it’s like in the northwestern part of Spain. It’s very green there, which is a sign of something else: RAIN! It can be wet, but still. Of course, a visit to Santiago de Compostela shouldn’t be missed. Maybe for the last bit, you might even have to walk a little. But also from Vigo via the lighthouse to Cabo Silleiro is really recommended. A beautiful route along the coast with beautiful views. A trip to the Monte Aloia is also highly recommended.
Alto da Groba, which was in the Vuelta in 2021, is really a tough one, especially the first 6km and in that same stage they go over the Alto Castro de Herville, with an old-fashioned Spanish section of climbing at 15-16%. Oh no.
As you can see above: the Alto de Fiuco in the northeast of this province! Unfortunately, there are many windmills here, but on this plate it looks absolutely stunning! There is plenty to see in the area and you can have your (climber) heart set on it.
3. Extremadura
This region is skipped over by almost everyone. Rightly so? In the 2021 Vuelta they ride from the town of Don Benito to Pico Villuercas. It sounds boring, but don’t forget that along the way they have to overcome a kind of Wall of Huy in the form of the Collado de Ballesteros (2.8km at an average of 14%!). The final climb of 14.5 km at 6.2% also has a few tough sections. The region also has beautiful places like Badajoz and the town of Mérida. For those who own a piece of Taiwanese aluminum or carbon, that is definitely ‘the place to be’.
What is really cool: the short climb to Castillo de Feria, for example from Merida or from the slightly more southerly Almendralejo (just the name alone!). That’s how you see it: the Vuelta shows you Spain!
For more information about the Vuelta – Tour of Spain, go to the La Vuelta website
For more information about traveling to Spain, you can best go to the website of the traffic office.
Questions & tips
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