The road to Casielles is the ‘Petit Alpe d’Huez’ with 23 hairpin turns

Casielles is a small ghost town at an elevation of 809m (2,654ft) above sea level, located in the Asturian council of Ponga, in Spain. Be careful: this narrow road is difficult, with 23 hairpin turns.

Casielles

Where is Casielles?

The town is located in the northern part of the country, on the edge of Parque Nacional de Picos de Europa. The town offers stunning views and preserves good examples of traditional architecture, such as Beyuscan granaries, old stone houses, and a church dedicated to San Juan. The views towards the Los Beyos Gorge are extraordinary.

How challenging is the road to Casielles?

The road to the town is very challenging and in poor condition. Running through a narrow path dug into the rock, the road is mostly paved with loose gravel, making it very slippery. It is hated by many of those who have to pass it frequently. The road features 23 sharp hairpin turns and is nicknamed the ‘Small Alpe d’Huez.

How long is the road to Casielles?

Starting from the infamous N-625 (Desfiladero de los Beyos), the road is 4.1 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 472 meters. The average gradient is 11.51%, and the climb hits about 21% of maximum gradient through some of the corners.

Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez
Pic: Néstor Rodán https://www.diariodevalderrueda.es/texto-diario/mostrar/1217734/imagen-ensueno-enamorara-casielles