Less than an hour from Madrid, Puerto de Cotos climbs steadily through the Valsaín forest, giving cyclists from the capital an accessible Alpine-style ascent without leaving the Community of Madrid.
A steady climb from Rascafría
From Rascafría, it’s about 15 km for 710 m of elevation gain, averaging 4.6%, with a maximum around 6.9%. The summit tops out at 1,829 m, at the pass separating the Lozoya and Eresma valleys.
A Vuelta a España classic at Madrid’s doorstep
Puerto de Cotos crosses the historic Valsaín forest, a former royal hunting ground, before reaching the pass that gives access to nearby Puerto de Navacerrada. Its proximity to Madrid makes it one of the most frequented passes among the capital’s cyclists, and a regular waypoint of the Vuelta a España.
How to approach the ride
The constant gradient with no truly steep section allows a sustained pace from start to finish, as long as you keep in mind that the final altitude can noticeably cool the temperature at the summit.
When to climb it
May to October: the mountain road can close in heavy snowfall, its summit altitude making it sensitive to winter conditions.
Good to know
The summit gives quick access to the neighboring Puerto de Navacerrada, allowing riders to extend the outing into a loop popular with Madrid cyclists chasing elevation gain in a single day.
