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Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis

4.9
20 reviews | Elevation profile | 73 photos
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
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Elevation profile Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis

Statistics

Difficulty points 996
Length 8.7 mi
Average gradient 7.4%
Steepest segment 15.9%
Total ascent 3406 ft

Short recap

Famous climb
Beautiful scenery
9 hairpin turns
#93 toughest climb of Spain
#40 most elevation gain of Cantabrian Mountains
#85 longest climb of Asturias
#15 average steepest climb of Picos de Europa
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Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis is a climb in the region Picos de Europa. It is 8.7 mi long and bridges 3406 ft of vertical ascent with an average gradient of 7.4%, resulting in a difficulty score of 996. The top of the ascent is located at 3688 ft above sea level. Climbfinder users shared 20 reviews of this climb and uploaded 73 photos.

Road name: Carretera Covadonga - Los Lagos

3.0 by Bicimichi
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch.
A week before, the 2018 Vuelta had been up here. It was so foggy that the climb was closed to tourists. However, there were buses going up. I found the climb not too difficult for my 68 years. Only you could hardly see a hand for eyes at the top. Not seen any more, only the signs. And descending is difficult because in no time you are behind a puffing bus. So, view? No idea, but I'm sure when it's sunny.... read more

Photos (73)

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis

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Reviews (20)

5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
XaviM91
1 w 5.0 via the Climbfinder app
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Spanish. Show original

A beautiful climb, I had been wanting to come to Asturias for years to climb it and it did not disappoint at all. At your own pace and enjoying the scenery can be done well. Hard section in the huesera above all. Doing it in May, a lot of traffic. The slowest descent I've done precisely because of the traffic, but I could enjoy the scenery for a while longer.

Una subida preciosa, llevaba añis deseando venir a Asturias para poder subirla y no ha decepcionado para nada. A tu ritmo y disfrutando del paisaje se puede hacer bien. Tramo duro en la huesera sobretodo. Haciéndolo en mayo, mucho tráfico. La bajada más lenta que he hecho precisamente por el tráfico, pero bueno así pude disfrutar un rato más del paisaje.

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Dashboard
ChrisBrown
5 Mo 5.0 via the Climbfinder app

My first ever mountain climb, the one that got me into it. A really engaging climb, good to visit the basilica at Cangas de Onis and great to get to the two lakes at the top. In fact, went back for seconds a few years later

Dashboard
Raik2020
7 Mo 5.0

Každý cyklista musí absolvovat ... úchvatné scenerie ... perfektní ..

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Must-do for every cyclist... breathtaking scenery ... perfect.

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Dashboard
Raik2020
7 Mo 5.0

Každý cyklista musí absolvovat.... Minimální provoz , úchvatná scenerie ....

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Must-do for every cyclist. Minimal traffic, breathtaking scenery.

Dashboard
LouisCa
9 Mo 5.0 via the Climbfinder app
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

The first part is in woodland with steep gradients, then the road becomes narrower and you enter very beautiful, open countryside, with some very steep sections. At the top, the lakes are very beautiful if the weather is clear. The road is in perfect condition throughout. In summer, it is closed to cars, but not to taxis and buses. There are also many cows, which can walk on the road.

La première partie est en forêt avec des pentes déjà soutenues, puis la route devient plus étroite et vous entrez dans un très bel environnement dégagé, avec des portions très raides. En haut, les lacs sont très beaux si le temps est clair. La route est en parfait état tout le long. En été, elle est fermée aux voitures, mais pas aux taxis et bus. Il y a aussi beaucoup de vaches, qui peuvent marcher sur la route.

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Dashboard
Random
John Doe
9 Mo 5.0 via the Climbfinder app
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

The climb is extremely difficult because of its length and the length of the ascent. I'm a pretty bad climber and I had the wrong gear on, so it took me 3 hours to climb it!

Une montée qui est extrêmement difficile par sa longueur et la durée de l’ascension. Je suis assez mauvais et j’avais le mauvais braqué et il m’a fallu 3 heures pour pouvoir la gravir!

Dashboard
TomekZ
10 Mo 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Polish. Show original

The profile and average gradient (7.4%) is very treacherous and not complete as there is a descent and flattening out a few km before the finish. In fact, the average ascent is above 10%. In the middle phase especially it is steep even after 15-16% and so it holds for more than 1km. I reached the summit in fog and a slight chill, so the views were not the best. Downhill mega difficult, winding, narrow road and lots of small watercourses and...animal poop :). You have to be careful. But worth it! A cycling icon. Recommendations!

Profil i średnia nachylenia (7,4%) jest bardzo zdradliwa i nie pełna gdyż kilka km przed metą jest zjazd i wypłaszczenie. Tak naprawdę średnia podjazdów jest powyżej 10%. W środkowej fazie zwłaszcza jest stromo nawet po 15-16% i tak trzyma przez ponad 1km. Ja dotarłem na szczyt akurat we mgle i lekkim chłodzie więc widoki nie były najlepsze. Zjazd mega trudny, kręty, droga wąska i mnóstwo małych cieków wodnych oraz…kup zwierząt :). Trzeba uważać. Ale warto! Ikona kolarstwa. Poleceń!

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Dashboard
socopower
10 Mo 5.0 via the Climbfinder app

Absolutely epic climb! Relatively common to get fog and some drizzle, and the cows on the road are a guaranteed feature so make sure you are prepared

Dashboard
Bart208
10 Mo 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

If you are in the Picos de Europa, this is a climb you must have done. The average gradient is biased as it also includes a number of descents.

The road is closed to motorised traffic, except for taxis and buses taking tourists up. As a result, the climb is relatively quiet. The occasional cow on the road, though.

The view atop the lakes is beautiful!

Als je in de Picos de Europa bent, is dit wel een klim die je gedaan moet hebben. Het gemiddelde stijgingspercentage vertekend, omdat er ook een aantal afdalingen in zitten.

De weg is afgesloten voor gemotoriseerd verkeer, behalve taxi’s en bussen die de toeristen naar boven brengen. Daardoor is het relatief rustig op de klim. Af en toe wel een koe op de weg.

Het uitzicht boven op de meren is mooi!

Dashboard
Pino
11 Mo 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Nice climb with varying gradients. It seems to be very beautiful at the top, but because of the clouds we ended up in, we didn't see any of that. A lot of loose cattle and (mind you) guard dogs. A cafe at the top of the car park with all sorts of things, though. There is doubt about whether you can go up here with an e-bike. Non-cyclists may take a shuttle service.

Fraaie beklimming met wisselende steigingspercentages. Het schijnt boven heel mooi te zijn, maar door de wolken waar we in terechtkwamen hebben we daar niets van gezien. Een hoop loslopend vee en (let op) bewakingshonden. Wel een cafeetje boven bij de parkeerplaats met van alles. Er is twijfel over of je hier ook met een e-bike omhoog mag. Niet-fietsers mogen met een shuttledienst.

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Dashboard
AndrewH27
12 Mo 5.0 via the Climbfinder app

Beautiful scenery. Challenging climb but not ridiculous. Decent road surface. Fairly quiet for traffic as motor vehicles are restricted a lot of the time. There are a couple of cafes at the top, one near each of the lakes.

Dashboard
DY85262
1 y 4.0

My first visit to the Picos, very pleased that this was a toll road as there was hardly any traffic. If you respect the Tour buses and Taxis, they respect you. Great to be amongst the sheep, cows, farmers with there mountain dogs. It was of course busy at the top but it was all about the ride which was very memorable. Keep riding past the first lake and travel up the narrow road that bends to the left, then you finish the climb.

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Dashboard
Kevin2
1 y 5.0 01:14:00 (7 mph)
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Fantastic climb. The views are wonderful and unlike any other mountain range. The tarmac all along the route is perfect. The road from Covadonga is only open to cyclists and official tourist buses and vans so the amount of traffic is not too bad. As a not too experienced climber, I found it doable. Only the steepest part requires a good push.

There are disadvantages too. The tourist buses really drive like idiots, honking in front of bends in the hope that other road users will move aside. It is also crowded with tourists at the summit. This somewhat detracts from the beautiful scenery.

None of this detracts from the fact that it is well worth the 5 stars. You must do this one if you are in the area!

Fantastische beklimming. De uitzichten zijn wonderschoon en niet te vergelijken met andere gebergten. Het asfalt over de hele route is perfect. De weg vanaf Covadonga is alleen geopend voor fietsers en officiële toeristenbusjes en -bussen dus de hoeveelheid verkeer valt mee. Als niet al te geoefende klimmer vond ik ‘m goed te doen. Alleen het steilste stuk moet je even goed aanzetten.

Nadelen zijn er ook. De toeristenbusjes rijden werkelijk als idioten, toeterend voor de bocht in de hoop dat andere weggebruikers maar voor ze aan de kant gaan. Ook is het op de top vol met toeristen. Dat doet enigszins afbreuk aan het prachtige landschap.

Dit alles neemt niet weg dat het de 5 sterren meer dan waard is. Deze moet je doen als je in de buurt bent!

Dashboard
ktulu179
1 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Spanish. Show original

I made this ascent as the final climb of the Lagos de Covadonga 2023 March and it was especially hard, considering that I had already given more than I should have done before. But it is a spectacular pass in every way. Impossible to miss it.

Realice esta ascension como final de la Marcha de Lagos de Covadonga 2023 y se me hizo especialmente dura, teniendo en cuenta que anteriormente ya había dado más de lo que debía. Pero es un puerto espectacular en todos los sentidos. Imposible perderselo.

Dashboard
devision2002
1 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: French. Show original

I climbed this ascent on 19 July, something I'd been dreaming about for over 10 years. You have to be very well prepared because it's really hard, the gradient varies from one kilometre to the next. The scenery is extraordinary and when you arrive at the first lake at the summit, it's a form of deliverance and enjoyment at the same time, so beautiful is nature on a sunny day. A myth.

J'ai monté cette ascencion le 19 juillet dernier, j'en rêvais depuis plus de 10 ans. Il faut être très bien préparé car c'est vraiment dur, le dénivelé varie d'un km à l'autre. Les paysages sont extraordinaires et quand on arrive au premier lac au sommet, c'est une forme de délivrance et jouissance à la fois, tellement la nature est belle par temps ensolleillée. Un mythe.

Dashboard
Ali
2 y 5.0

My favourite climb. So beautiful. There’s everything in one climb. Streams, woodland, mountain views, farmland and animals grazing, hairpins and of course the lakes at the end. Some traffic, mainly the taxi and bus service. Toll booth for cars so very few private cars. Tough enough to climb but very worth it! Absolutely not to be missed!!

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Dashboard
Jarin
2 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Epic!!! Absolutely the climb with the most beautiful views I have climbed so far. On a stretch of over a kilometre at 15% the climbing percentages are also very reasonable. You don't climb fast anyway because at every turn you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery all over again! I saw many cyclists dismount at the first lake (Lago Enol), but if you keep climbing from there via a narrow path, you'll end up at the second lake (Lago Ercina) where you can enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a restaurant under olive trees, overlooking the high snowy peaks of the Picos de Europa!

And on your way back, don't forget to stop at the sanctuaries at the foot of the climb; the Santa Cuevas (sacred cave) in particular is well worth a visit!

Episch!!! Absoluut de klim met de mooiste uitzichten die ik tot nu toe beklommen heb. Op een stuk van ruim een kilometer aan 15% zijn de klimpercentages ook heel schappelijk. Snel klimmen doe je sowieso niet want bij elke bocht wil je wel weer opnieuw genieten van de prachtige omgeving! Ik zag veel fietsers afstappen bij het eerste meer (Lago Enol), maar als je van daaruit nog even doorklimt via een smal paadje kom je bij het tweede meer uit (Lago Ercina) war je bij een restaurantje onder olijfbomen van een welverdiende lunch kunt genieten, met uitzicht op de hoge besneeuwde toppen van de Picos de Europa!

En vergeet ook vooral niet op de terugweg nog even te stoppen bij de heiligdommen aan de voet van de klim; met name de Santa Cuevas (heilige grot) is een bezoek meer dan waard!!

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Dashboard
peterfietser
3 y 5.0
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

Really cool climb. Got to this in the morning via diversions. Around noon it got sunny. What a view and clean nature. Even a view through to the ocean. Unforgettably beautiful. A real winner.

Echt een gave beklimming. In de ochtend via omweg hiernaar toe. Rond de middag werd het zonnig. Wat een uitzicht en schone natuur. Zelfs een doorkijkje naar de oceaan. Onvergetelijk mooi. Echt een topper.

Dashboard
Kevin
4 y 5.0 01:02:54 (8.3 mph)
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

In September, the day before the Vuelta caravan, I rode this fantastic climb. Luck was on my side, because it was a clear, beautiful day. Often, this climb is surrounded by dense fog, so that you can hardly see anything of the unique environment. A beautifully paved road winds up to two lakes, providing incredible pictures. Make no mistake, this climb is harder than the profile indicates. A must-do anyway...

In september de dag voor de Vueltakaravaan deze fantastische beklimming opgereden. Het geluk was aan mijn zijde, want het was een heldere, prachtige dag. Vaak wordt deze beklimming omgeven door dichte mist, waarbij er nauwelijks iets van de unieke omgeving te zien valt. Een mooi geasfalteerde weg slingert zich naar twee meren, wat ongelooflijke plaatjes oplevert. Vergis je niet, deze klim is zwaarder dan het profiel aangeeft. Een must-do hoe dan ook...

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis
Dashboard
Bicimichi
5 y 3.0 02:02:00 (4.3 mph)
This is an automatic translation, the original language is: Dutch. Show original

A week before, the 2018 Vuelta had been up here. It was so foggy that the climb was closed to tourists. However, there were buses going up. I found the climb not too difficult for my 68 years. Only you could hardly see a hand for eyes at the top. Not seen any more, only the signs. And descending is difficult because in no time you are behind a puffing bus. So, view? No idea, but I'm sure when it's sunny.

Een week ervoor was de Vuelta 2018 hier omhoog geweest. Het was zo mistig, dat de beklimming was gesloten voor toeristen. Wel gingen er bussen omhoog. Ik vond de klim niet al te moeilijk voor mijn 68 jaar. Alleen zag je boven nauwelijks een hand voor ogen. Geen meer gezien, alleen de bordjes. En afdalen is lastig omdat je binnen no time achter een puffende bus zit. Dus uitzicht? Geen idee, maar vast wel als het zonnig is.

Dashboard

Climbing times

5 mph 01:44:44
7 mph 01:14:09
9 mph 00:57:47
12 mph 00:43:24

Road surface condition

91% 6% 3%
Based on 32 votes
Share your knowledge. What was the road condition during your ascent?

Traffic

39% 42% 19%
Based on 31 votes
Your experience counts. How much traffic did you encounter during the climb?

Frequently Asked Questions

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis is a challenging ascent. For this type of climbing, we recommend mountain gearing, specifically a compact system. This means a small front chainring of 34 teeth, combined with a rear cassette where, depending on your level, strength, and experience, you choose a sprocket with 30, 32, or even 34 teeth. Remember that a smooth cadence is always more efficient!

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis belongs to the Hors Catégorie, the top category. These are legendary and very tough climbs. A solid cycling condition, experience, and a good climbing gear ratio are essential to maintain a smooth cadence and complete the climb comfortably.

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis is 8.7 mi long.

The average gradient of Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis is 7.4%.

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis has a steepest segment with an average gradient of 15.9%.

The summit of Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis is at 3688 ft.

At a slow pace of 5 mph, it takes about 01:44:44 to climb Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis. At 7 mph the time is 01:14:09, and at 9 mph 00:57:47. For the fastest cyclists, 00:43:24 is an achievable time.

Lagos de Covadonga from Cangas de Onis is located in the region Asturias in Spain.

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