The Alto de l’Angliru, in Asturias, has stood as the absolute benchmark for difficulty in professional cycling ever since its introduction to the Vuelta a España in 1999, thanks to a gradient that exceeds 23% on its hardest section.
A climb that never lets up
From Riosa, the road climbs 12.5 km for about 1,250 m of elevation gain, averaging 10% — a figure that hides an even harder reality over the second half of the climb. The Cueña les Cabres ramp, a few kilometres from the summit, exceeds 23% for several hundred metres, a gradient few cyclists, however experienced, are used to.
Getting the ride right
A very forgiving gear range, with a wide-range cassette (32 to 36 teeth), is non-negotiable if you want any chance of clearing the steepest sections without putting a foot down. It pays to ride the deceptively manageable first half at a very cautious pace, saving something for the Cueña les Cabres.
When to go
June to September, as this mountain road stays closed by snow for much of the year at this altitude. Local cyclosportive organisers deliberately avoid the shoulder seasons, since weather can stay unpredictable even at the height of summer in Asturias.
Good to know
Oviedo, the capital of Asturias less than an hour away by road, offers the widest choice of accommodation in the area, with convenient access to the Lakes of Covadonga and the Picos de Europa for extending a stay among the great climbs of Asturias.