From Cangas del Narcea, at 1,276 ft (389 m), to the Santuario del Acebo at 3,835 ft (1,169 m), it’s 5.9 miles (9.5 km) at an average 8.2%: 2,559 ft (780 m) of climbing. Altimetrias.net gives 9.55 km and 780 m, and Climbfinder 9.5 km and 781 m, with the worst 100 m at 14% and seven hairpins.
What the climb is like
You leave Cangas on Calle Uría and take the signed road to the sanctuary. The grade is steep and fairly constant, almost always between 7% and 10%, with no long rests. The pavement is in good shape and the road is just wide enough for the traffic it gets. There’s little shade, and a strong wind often blows near the top, making the last miles longer than the profile suggests.
At the top is the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora del Acebo, second only to Covadonga in devotion in Asturias and patron saint of the vaqueiros de alzada, the transhumant herders of western Asturias.
History
For years it was a regular finish of the Vuelta a Asturias, but the Vuelta a España has finished here only once: in 2019 Sepp Kuss won, and behind him Primož Roglič and Alejandro Valverde came in together after a duel that dropped other favorites. Altimetrias.net notes that Miguel Induráin once called it the hardest climb he had ever ridden.
When to go, water and traffic
Spring to fall; in winter it can snow near the top. Traffic is light except on holidays. There are no reliable fountains on the climb, so leave Cangas with all the water you need.
What gearing to use
At 3 W/kg (watts per kilo of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg), you’ll average about 6.6 mph (10.7 km/h): on a 34x30 you’ll pedal around 75 rpm, and on a 34x28 about 70. If you’re below 3 W/kg, a 34x32 will make the climb more manageable. Check your combinations in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Settle into a steady pace: there’s no easy stretch to recover on.
- Watch the wind up top: it hits you from the side in open areas, on the descent too.
- Descend carefully: with an 8% average and 14% ramps, your brakes work hard.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb to the Santuario del Acebo?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 53 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 1 h 03 min at 2.5 W/kg and 41 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
Who won at El Acebo in the Vuelta a España?
Sepp Kuss, in 2019, in the Vuelta's only summit finish there. Behind him, Primož Roglič and Alejandro Valverde finished together.
Are there fountains on the El Acebo climb?
We don't know of any reliable ones. Fill your bottles in Cangas del Narcea before you start.