Everyone who Vuelta a España Anyone who has ever seen it knows the image. The final kilometers of a climb that are nothing more than a well-maintained goat trail. It marks this great round, which had always had to compete with the Tour, but which was also passed by the Giro d’Italia, with its mythical Stelvio, Mortirolo, Gavia, Passo Giau And Zoncolan. The Vuelta has been doing its best to make the finishes and climbs spectacular for years now. That seems to have worked out well too. Because anyone who nowadays thinks of a bizarre uphill finish is thinking of the Angliru, La Covatilla and more of these goat trails. As a tribute to this type of climb, we have listed the top 5 most difficult climbs in the Vuelta (with a little bonus). In random order (but with that one familiar name at number 1).
1. Alto de L’Angliru
Whenever any cyclist mentions the name Angliru, the paper goes flying into the air. And rightly so. Since 1999, this climb has regularly featured in the Tour de Spain. Many riders prefer to take a bus ticket that day. It’s no wonder it’s called the Monster of the Mountains. Asturias and the ultimate climb of the Vuelta. Go ahead and try it. 12.5 kilometers according to the official signs, 10.1% on average and almost half a kilometer at 23%.
The steepest kilometer is 17.3%, and with 5 kilometers at an average of 13.8%, no one will look forward to a ride up to the top of this monster with much pleasure. In 2020, Hugh Carty was the most recent winner. Every rider, amateur or professional, who gets this far deserves respect!
2. Shrine of the Virgin of Arrate
This climb will also give many people a scare. Not because this climb, one of the most important in the Basque Country, It’s so incredibly long. The longest variant measures only 6.4 kilometers. No, it’s mainly about the gradient. 20% maximum, a kilometer long 15.6% and almost the entire climb averages 9%. Painful, painful, painful. Yet this climb cannot be attributed solely to light weight equipment. Because friend of the show Miguel Indurain also once came out on top here. But hey.
3. Lagos de Covadonga
This year (2021) this climb is back in the Vuelta. Located in the Picos de Europa National Park, In Asturia too, this one is one that creates very picturesque pictures. The lakes of Covadonga look stunning on the postcard, but in the meantime, from the town of Covadonga it is a painful ordeal to climb up. If you are going to do this climb, it is a good idea to say a little prayer at the cathedral of Covadonga.
It is actually bizarre that a climb that only rises to 1120 meters and that generates so much anxiety on average at 5.4% meters. It probably comes from the long stretch (almost 700m) at 15% and higher.
4. Pico Valeta
This climb in the Sierra Nevada, in Andalusia, It definitely belongs in the ranks of the most beautiful goat trails. Although the Vuelta caravan never really goes all the way up (because that’s not possible with all those cars). It is the highest paved road in Europe, at over 3300 meters. The longest route has a height difference of 2800 meters! The southern variants are quite steep at the beginning and then get a bit weaker. On average, the climb is a maximum of 6.7%, but it’s mainly the length from over 40 kilometers to the top that makes the sweat run down your forehead here. It’s often very warm at the foot, but also quite cool at the top.
The Vuelta often stops around 2500 – 2600 meters. Still a climb to say the least, especially since the average elevation then goes up quite a bit (because the final kilometers to the top aren’t the steepest).
5. Alto d’el Gamoniteiru
For the true followers of the Vuelta, this one really doesn’t fit into the list. Because it’s new. But it’s still included here for this reason: It almost lies next to the Angliru and has a similar painful profile card. It seems that the Vuelta organizers have found a new goat trail again!
This climb averages 9.7% over 15 kilometers, with 5 kilometers at an average of 11.4. The elevation gain isn’t as extreme as the Angliru, but it’s definitely going to hurt.
Bonus climb: Peña Cabarga
This climb has been climbed quite often already, but for many it might not be long enough. Still, this 6-kilometer ordeal near Santander is one worth sitting down for properly. Especially the last kilometer at 15% is painful to say the least and also provides plenty of spectacle for the pros. Froomey won here twice, but also (surprisingly) Vasiliy Kyrienka.
Questions & tips
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