CYCLING MOUNTAIN PASSES IN ASTURIAS

CYCLING IN ASTURIAS!

It is October and the snow has not yet reached the heights... a good time to get to know the most unknown Asturian mountain passes. La Vuelta España and La Vuelta Asturias have passed through some of them. In others, only a few cyclists have passed through.

We start in the southeast of Asturias, from a town called Mieres, where it is possible to do all the mountain passes mentioned below without having to take a car. We will find passes with two slopes to climb them on road bikes and others with a dirt slope on the other side. Perfect for a day of gravel riding.

We started cycling in Asturias.

- El Cordal from Pola de Lena:

A pass before the dreaded Angliru, it is 5.50km long with an average gradient of 9%. The first ramps are the steepest but then it stabilises and the climb is more pleasant until it reaches the descent and drops to Riosa, where the 12km climb to the Angliru begins.

- El Padrún from Mieres:

This pass goes from Mieres to Oviedo, it is the first pass that we will find if we go along the old mountain road, although we can also go to Oviedo along the road of "the tunnels", which, as its name suggests, goes through several tunnels on a flat national road.

The Padrún is 4.5km long and has an average gradient of 4%. Clearly, a link pass.

- Colladiella from Figaredo:

With little traffic and abundant vegetation, this pass is very easy to climb. It is 7.8 km long and has an average gradient of 6.13%.

- Santo Emiliano from Langreo:

A pass that connects two Asturian valleys with a length of 4.3km and an average gradient of 8.1%. Full of vegetation and without much traffic, it is a very comfortable pass to climb and with good asphalt.

- High del Naranco:

From the very centre of Oviedo, this pass begins, starting from the exclusive housing developments until you reach the top with the statue of the Sacred Heart, leaving the whole city at your feet. This mountain offers incredible views.

It has a climb of 6km with an average gradient of 5.72%. Incredible tranquility that gives this mountain. There is no way out on a road bike, it is a return trip through the same place. Another way to see the capital of Asturias.

- San Tirso:

A pass that connects two Asturian valleys with a length of 5km and an average gradient of 4.3%. Away from cars and with beautiful villages as it passes from one valley to the other.

- Les Praeres:

The Asturian Hell 2.0, with a length of less than 4km and an average gradient of 13%, will make you can't take your eyes off the handlebars. Bits of asphalt and bits of grated concrete. This pass has no tarmac exit, but it is perfect for a gravel route because on the other side, it is a track in very good condition.

At the top you will find wide views of the surrounding mountains and a green meadow full of horses. Very tough but very nice reward.

- Cotobello: 

The best always comes at the end. Personally, my favourite pass par excellence. It consists of 10km with an average gradient of 8.3%. It is a pass with no road exit, you get to the top and you find an old bar that is no longer in operation and privileged views from a meadow of the most intense green you can imagine.

Along the pass, you are likely to find a lot of cows in the middle of the road and few people. I would definitely not miss this pass.

The real cycling in Asturias.

This is the end of today's blog with the Asturian mountain passes, we hope you like it and that it serves as a guide for your getaways in the north.

More guides: PORTS OF THE PYRENEES