The Alto de los Lagos de Covadonga, in the Picos de Europa, is to the Vuelta a España what Alpe d’Huez is to the Tour de France: the most legendary mountain finish in Spanish cycling since it first appeared in 1983.
A climb to two glacial lakes
From the sanctuary of Covadonga, the road climbs 12.6 km for 1,000 m of elevation gain, averaging 7.9% — a figure that steepens noticeably over the second half, with sections close to 17-18% around La Huesera. The route winds through the pastures and limestone cliffs of the Picos de Europa up to Lakes Enol and de la Ercina, two glacial lakes nestled at altitude.
Getting the ride right
A compact or triple crankset is still worth having for the steepest sections of the second half. The road, narrow in places and shared with free-roaming livestock typical of the Picos de Europa, calls for constant vigilance despite the light car traffic thanks to the summer restrictions.
When to go
June to September, as the road stays closed by snow outside this window at this altitude. Summer, despite the car traffic restrictions, remains the best window for cyclists, who get to ride a road largely free of vehicles.
Good to know
Cangas de Onís, the historic gateway to the Picos de Europa, offers a good choice of accommodation, with convenient access to the Asturian coast and to the Angliru, less than an hour away by road, for a stay centred on the great climbs of Asturias.
