From Miraflores de la Sierra (3,599 ft / 1,097 m) to the Puerto de la Morcuera (5,820 ft / 1,774 m) it’s 6.1 miles (9.8 km) at an average of 6.9%: 2,221 ft (677 m) of climbing on the M-611. It’s the most famous hard climb in the Madrid region and a classic of the Vuelta a España and of the Perico Delgado gran fondo.
The numbers for this climb vary a lot from one website to the next, so it’s worth explaining where ours come from. We measure from the foot of the climb in Miraflores, where the Canencia climb also starts, as altimetrias.net does. Cols-cyclisme starts a little higher and gives 5.7 miles (9.2 km), 1,978 ft (603 m) and 6.55%; the average grade is almost identical, and both sources put the steepest pitch at 12%. If you ride in from Soto del Real, add about 5 miles (8 km) that already tilt uphill.
What the climb is like
- Kilometers 0 to 5 (the first 3 miles). A long straight with the mountain on your right and the grade closer to 7% than 6%. There’s shade and it’s easy to find a rhythm.
- Kilometer 6. Past a ruined hut comes the hardest section, with 12% ramps. The Cindo fountain is in this area.
- Kilometer 7 to the top. The grade settles back to a steady 6-7%, but the shade disappears and the wind usually blows across the pass.
History
La Morcuera shows up in the Vuelta almost every time the race visits the mountains around Madrid: CyclingCols counts 27 crossings, with Richard Carapaz (2022), Geoffrey Bouchard (2019) and Rubén Plaza (2015) among the most recent riders first over the top. It’s often climbed on the same day as Navacerrada, Cotos or the Bola del Mundo.
When to go, water and traffic
Spring to fall. In winter there can be snow and ice near the top, and at 5,820 ft (1,774 m) it’s a lot colder than in Madrid. Traffic is moderate, a bit heavier on weekends. Fill your bottle in Miraflores: the Cindo fountain is the only one on the way up. From the pass you can descend to Rascafría and loop back over Navacerrada or Cotos.
What gearing to use
At 3 W/kg (watts per kilo of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg) you’ll average about 7.7 mph (12.4 km/h): with a 34x28 that’s about 81 rpm. For the 12% kilometer it’s worth having a 34x30 or 34x32 in reserve. Check your combinations in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Don’t empty the tank in the first five kilometers: the hard part comes in the sixth.
- Bring a windbreaker for the descent, especially in spring and fall.
- If you want more, link it with Canencia, which starts at the same junction in Miraflores.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb La Morcuera from Miraflores?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 47 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 56 min at 2.5 W/kg and 36 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
Why do the numbers for La Morcuera vary so much between websites?
Because each source starts in a different place. From the foot of the climb in Miraflores it's 6.1 miles (9.8 km) and 2,221 ft (677 m) (altimetrias.net); Cols-cyclisme starts higher up and gives 5.7 miles (9.2 km) and 1,978 ft (603 m), and from Soto del Real Climbfinder counts 9.6 miles (15.4 km).
Where can you get water on La Morcuera?
There's a fountain on the way out of Miraflores and the Cindo fountain, around kilometer 6 (mile 3.7). There are no services at the top.