Lagos de Covadonga: An Iconic Vuelta a España Climb

Lagos de Covadonga is the name of a couple of glacial lakes (Lake Enol and Lake Ercina) located in the region of Asturias in Spain. The road to the lakes is a popular climb in professional road bicycle racing, with ramps up to 15%. It's said to be one of the most beautiful drives in the country.

Lagos de Covadonga

Where Are Lagos de Covadonga?

The lakes are located in the northern part of the country, within the Picos de Europa National Park.

Is the Road to Lagos de Covadonga Paved?

The road to the lakes is fully paved and has very few hairpin bends, but it’s quite steep and narrow, ending at an elevation of 1,134m (3,720ft) above sea level. It’s called CO-4. Similar to the Alpe d’Huez climb, the road has been featured many times in the Vuelta a España race.

How Long Is the Road to Lagos de Covadonga?

Starting from Covadonga, the ascent is 12.6 km (7.82 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1,056 meters, and the average gradient is 7.4%. The most demanding section is called La Huesera, located 7 kilometers from the top of the climb, with an average gradient of 15% over 800 meters.

Is the Road to Lagos de Covadonga Worth the Drive?

The drive is definitely worth it. It's a place of majesty, history, and epic events. Once at the top, it is well worth spending some time at the lakes. Along with the beautiful scenery, there is an old metal mine at the top lake that is interesting to see.

 

 

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