Alto de la Cobertoria is a classic climb in Asturias
Alto de la Cobertoria is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,181 meters (3,874 feet) above sea level, located in Asturias, Spain. The road to the summit is brutal, hitting a maximum gradient of 12.3% on some of the ramps.
Where is Alto de la Cobertoria?
The pass is located in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, in the northern part of the country. To the north of the pass, a road with paved and unpaved sections climbs up to Alto del Gamoniteiro, a remote high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,776 meters (5,826 feet) above sea level.
What’s at the summit of Alto de la Cobertoria?
At the summit of Alto de la Cobertoria, there is a megalithic necropolis dating from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, which highlights the historical significance of this area. With six megaliths, among which the impressive dolmen of Mata'l Casare stands out, complete with its chamber and burial mound, this site witnesses ancient traditions and funerary rituals of prehistoric inhabitants.
How long is the road to Alto de la Cobertoria?
The road to the summit is called AS-230. It’s 19.4 km (12.05 miles) long, running west to east from Bárzana to Pola de Lena.
Is the road to Alto de la Cobertoria paved?
The road to the summit is fully paved and in good condition, but it’s extremely curvy; it’s better to avoid it if you’re prone to car sickness. It features countless turns and many hairpin bends, with steep sections.
Is the road to Alto de la Cobertoria open in winter?
Set high in the Sierra del Aramo mountain range, the pass is typically open all year round, but short-term closures are common in winter due to dangerous weather conditions.
How steep is the road to Alto de la Cobertoria?
The pass has been regularly used in the Vuelta a España, usually to add difficulty to the race in stages that finished at the Alto de l’Angliru or other Asturian mountain passes, such as the Gamoniteiro. On the eastern side, the average gradient is 8.85%, and on the western side, it’s 8.52%.