The historic road link between Asturias and Castile before the A-66 tunnel bypassed it in 1997, Puerto de Pajares remains one of the Vuelta a España’s most emblematic climbs, used since as far back as 1945.
A classic ascent at the gateway to Asturias
From Campomanes, it’s 13 km for 912 m of elevation gain, averaging 7.1% with stretches close to 17%. The summit sits at 1,378 m, on the border between Asturias and Castilla y León, at the Valgrande-Pajares ski station.
A historic climb, extended to Cuitu Negru
Used by the Vuelta a España since 1945, Puerto de Pajares was for centuries the main road link between Asturias and Castile, before losing most of its traffic when the A-66 tunnel opened in 1997. Since then, the Vuelta has regularly extended the climb past the ski station up to Cuitu Negru, where gradients exceed 20%: Dario Cataldo won there in 2012, Miguel Ángel López in 2017.
Getting the ride right
Compact or triple gearing makes the stretches near 17% far more manageable, while a packable wind jacket is welcome on the descent back to Campomanes, which often stays cool even in summer.
When to go
April to November — the climb stays rideable most of the year, though the higher sections carry a risk of snow or ice in winter.
Good to know
Campomanes, the starting town, sits at the foot of the climb in the Lena river valley, a historic crossing point between northern and central Spain long before the automobile era, on the old road that once linked Madrid to the Cantabrian coast.
