
A steep paved road to Alto de Lubian in Zamora
Spain, europe
10.3 km
1,681 m
hard
Year-round
# Alto de Lubián: Spain's Windswept Summit Drive
Tucked away in Zamora province in northern Spain's Castile and León region sits Alto de Lubián, a breezy 1,681-meter peak that's become a favorite challenge for serious cyclists and road-trip enthusiasts.
The route—called Camino del Cañizo—kicks off from the ZA-106 Road and climbs for a solid 10.3 kilometers. You'll gain 671 meters of elevation along the way, averaging a respectable 6.51% gradient, though some sections will test your nerves at a steep 13.3%. The good news? The road is fully paved. The catch? It's narrow and twisty, with more than a few hairpin turns to keep you alert.
The scenery unfolds as you twist and climb, and once you reach the summit, you're greeted by a sprawling wind farm—a surreal landscape of turbines spinning against the sky. The road has earned legitimate bragging rights too, having hosted stages of the professional Vuelta a Castilla y León race.
Whether you're a cycling purist seeking your next conquest or simply someone who loves conquering challenging mountain passes, Alto de Lubián delivers both technical driving and the satisfaction of summiting one of Spain's memorable peaks.
Where is it?
A steep paved road to Alto de Lubian in Zamora is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.2336, -3.9909
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,681 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.2336, -3.9909
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