Lagos de Covadonga
From Covadonga · 12.6 km · 7.3 % average
Photo: Photo: Zarateman · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Start
- Covadonga
- Summit
- 1,134 m
- Distance
- 12.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,056 m
- Average gradient
- 7.3 %
- Maximum gradient
- Not reliably sourced
- Difficulty
- Very hard (FIETS 9)
The climb at a glance
Schematic A straight line at the average gradient – the real road is steeper in places and easier in others.
- The hardest section, La Huesera, 7 km from the top, averages 15 % for 800 m (Wikipedia).
In the footsteps of the pros
- Vuelta a España: first featured in 1983, won by Marino Lejarreta during his battle with Bernard Hinault (Wikipedia).
- Called, together with the Angliru, the most important climb in the modern history of the Vuelta (Wikipedia).
How long might it take?
| Sustained power | ≈ Time |
|---|---|
| 2.5 W/kg | 1 h 26 |
| 3.5 W/kg | 1 h 02 |
| 4.5 W/kg | 49 min |
Estimate Physics model at constant power on a constant 7.3 % gradient: rider 75 kg, bike and kit 9 kg, rolling resistance 0.005, CdA 0.4 m², air density 1.1 kg/m³, 3 % drivetrain loss; W/kg relative to rider weight; no wind, no stops. Real times vary – this is not a standard.
Best season
Nearest destination climate: prime Jun–Sep (Oviedo (AEMET), 1991–2020 normals).
Weather & altitude
Low enough that altitude itself is not a factor; heat and sun can be.
Surface & traffic
[PLACEHOLDER] Road surface, traffic and tunnels – to verify
Water & food
[PLACEHOLDER] Fountains, cafés and the last shop before the top – to verify
Descent
[PLACEHOLDER] Descent notes – surface, hairpins, cold. Always pack a layer.
Nearby climbs
- Alto de l'Angliru ≈ 78 km away (straight line)
- Torre – Serra da Estrela ≈ 394 km away (straight line)
- Col du Tourmalet ≈ 418 km away (straight line)
Sources & verification
Data Figures copied from the sources listed, retrieved 14 Nov 2026. Published numbers differ with the exact start and finish – we show one sourced version. Exact start point and date of on-the-road verification: [PLACEHOLDER] to record.