According to the official route 3,275 kilometres, six mountain stages and two individual time trials. Between Monaco and Granada, the riders face 39 categorised climbs. Cyclingnews calculates a total of 58,156 metres of elevation gain.

For our selection, we use the route-based climb index and profiles of CyclingCols. A low index indicates a more demanding position. Some mountain passes return in multiple categories, because demanding and unknown can easily go together.

The five hardest climbs

1. Port d'Envalira – The western route from Escaldes-Engordany covers 25.3 km, with 1,301 metres of elevation gain and an average gradient of 5.1%. With its summit at 2,407 metres, Envalira tops the index.

2. Collado del Alguacil – From Pinos Genil, there are 16.7 km at an average gradient of 6.8%. It is the final 7 km in particular, with an average gradient of 10.6%, that make this new final climb above Granada so gruelling.

3. Alto de Haza Llanas – The last 5 km have an average gradient of 13.6%, with peaks of up to 17%. The final kilometres are therefore very steep.

4. Alto de Monachil – The southern face is 14.6 km long and has a gradient of 15%. The toughest 4 km have an average gradient of 11.3%, and the Vuelta climbs this mountain twice in stage 20.

5. El Miserat – This eastern approach also achieves a high position in the CyclingCols index. The 756-metre climb makes its debut in the Vuelta.

Five unique climbs to ride yourself

1. Port d'Envalira – Andorra offers many possibilities for cyclists. Envalira is a perfect way to combine with Beixalis, Coll d'Ordino and Comella, all insidefood for a (long day) in the saddle.

2. Alto de Aitana – First, you drive along the familiar Puerto de Tudons, followed by a further 6.7 km at an average of 7.8%. The first 6.3 km of that final stretch are even at 9.3%.

3. Alto de la Comella – Just 4.3 km from Andorra la Vella, but with an 8.1% gradient. Suitable for those who prefer short, steep climbs to long, steady rides.

4. Sierra de la Pandera – The climb is 23.5 km long and has an elevation gain of 1,325 metres from Los Villares, although the steep final section sometimes makes it seem shorter. The last 4.1 km are at 13.5%. We cycled part of this climb in 2025 and it was absolutely stunning.

5. Port of Velefique – Twenty kilometres of hairpin bends through the arid landscape of Almería, with 1,137 metres of elevation gain. The climb is one of those ‘bucket list’ climbs in Andalusia

Five unknown Vuelta debutants

1. Collado del Alguacil – An unknown name with figures indicating it is in a class of its own, despite its official classification as second category.

2. Port of Peralejo – A long but uneven climb from Elche de la Sierra: 22.9 km, averaging 2.2% and reaching a maximum of 8.4%.

3. Collado García – This northern ascent reaches an altitude of 1,248 metres and features in a Grand Tour for the first time.

4. Alto de Venta de la Cebada – A debut Andalusian climb of 823 metres, between Calar Alto and Mirador de la Cabra Montés.

5. Artafi Pass – With a peak at 533 metres Artafi looks modest, but its position after the Pandera makes it interesting for a custom Vuelta loop.

Naturally, there are plenty of great climbs to be found all over Spain and this selection is merely a list of climbs that we think are extra brilliant.

Which of these unknown climbs have you already ridden?

We’d love to hear any extra tips on routes and good coffee in the comments below.