The Angliru is 7.7 miles (12.4 km) at an average of 10.2% from La Vega de Riosa (1,004 ft / 306 m) to the 5,157 ft (1,572 m) summit, but that average is deceiving: the climb has two halves that have nothing in common. The first few miles are manageable; the last 3.7 miles (6 km) are among the hardest in Europe.
What the climb is like, section by section
- Km 0 to 5.5 (first 3.4 miles, about 7.5%). Good road, between meadows and houses. You can find a rhythm here, and this is where most people overdo it: everything you spend here you will miss later.
- Km 5.5 to 6.5 (false flat). Almost a kilometer at 2% to catch your breath. Drink and eat here.
- Km 6.5 to the top (about 14% on average). From here the grade almost never drops below 13%. The ramps have their own names: Les Piedrusines (20%), Cobayos (20-21%), El Aviru (21%), Les Cabanes (22%) and La Cueña les Cabres (23.5%), around km 9.8 (mile 6.1). The last 400 m (1,300 ft) ease off a little to the finish.
The profile above sums up those three parts. With the segment profile, our calculator gives a more realistic time than if it used only the average.
Its history in the Vuelta a España
The Riosa town council paved the track in 1997, and the Vuelta first came in 1999, won by José María Jiménez, who caught Pavel Tonkov in the fog in the final meters. Since then it has hosted ten stage finishes. Winners here include Gilberto Simoni (2000), Roberto Heras (2002), Alberto Contador (2008 and 2017), Kenny Elissonde (2013), Hugh Carthy (2020), Primož Roglič (2023) and João Almeida (2025). Juan José Cobo’s 2011 win was later stripped for doping.
The benchmark time is still Roberto Heras’s from 2000: about 41 min 55 s, chasing Simoni. Chris Horner climbed it in 43:07 in 2013, on the stage that won him the Vuelta.
When to go, water and traffic
You can ride it all year when there is no snow, but fog and low cloud are very common on the upper part, and the descent is dangerous: wet pavement and 20% ramps are unforgiving. Go in good weather with brakes in perfect shape. Traffic is light, although you will meet loose livestock on the road. At the top there is a parking lot and nothing else: carry your water from Riosa. There is another side, longer and gentler, from Santa Eulalia de Morcín (about 11.2-11.8 miles / 18-19 km at 7.5%).
What gearing to use
Gearing matters more here than on almost any other climb. At 3 W/kg (watts per kilogram of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg), you ride about 4.1 mph (6.6 km/h) on a 14% ramp; on a 34x34 that is about 52 pedal strokes a minute, and on 20% you would drop to 37 rpm. If your power is lower, fit a 32x36 or a gravel drivetrain. Check your combinations in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Ride the first 3.4 miles (5.5 km) below your threshold pace: the climb really starts at km 6.5.
- Zigzag on the 20% ramps only if nobody is coming, and never on the descent.
- There is no shame in putting a foot down on La Cueña les Cabres: many recreational riders do.
- Bring a rain jacket even if it is sunny at the bottom: there is usually fog up top and it is a few degrees colder.
Reference times
| Rider | Time | Year | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roberto Heras | 41:55 | 2000 | Vuelta a España. Fastest recorded ascent (Spanish Wikipedia gives 41:56). |
| Chris Horner | 43:07 | 2013 | Vuelta a España, in his duel with Nibali (other sources give 43:06). |
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb the Angliru?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 1 hr 25 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 1 hr 41 min at 2.5 W/kg and 1 hr 04 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
What is the steepest part of the Angliru?
La Cueña les Cabres, around km 9.8 (mile 6.1), at 23.5% according to Wikipedia; climb databases put it at 21-23% depending on the stretch they measure.
What gearing do you need for the Angliru?
A 34x34 is the reasonable minimum. At 3 W/kg you ride about 4.1 mph (6.6 km/h) on 14%: on a 34x34 that is a cadence of about 52 rpm, so if you do not go past 2.5 W/kg a 32x36 or lower is a good idea.
Where is the Angliru measured from?
From La Vega de Riosa: 7.7 miles (12.4 km) and 4,154 ft (1,266 m) of climbing. CyclingCols starts a little earlier and gives 8.2 miles (13.2 km) at 9.4%, with the same elevation gain.