
Collado de la Quesera
Spain, europe
14 km
1,745 m
hard
Year-round
# Collado de la Quesera
Perched at 1,745 meters (5,725 feet) above sea level, Collado de la Quesera is a stunning mountain pass tucked away in Guadalajara province, in the heart of Spain's Castile-La Mancha region.
The road up here is fully paved, but don't let that fool you—this is no leisurely cruise. The climb packs some serious punch, with grades hitting up to 12.3% in places. The pass has even earned its stripes as a stage in Spain's legendary Vuelta a España cycling race.
Coming up from Riaza? Buckle up for a 14-km push that'll gain you 542 meters of elevation, averaging out to a steady 3.9% grade. If you're approaching from Majaelrayo instead, you're looking at a shorter but steeper 10-km haul with 509 meters of elevation gain—that's a more intense 5.1% average.
Either way, you're in for a spectacular drive through the breathtaking Hoces de Bejo landscape. It's the kind of mountain pass that keeps you engaged behind the wheel and gives you seriously rewarding views once you reach the top.
Where is it?
Collado de la Quesera is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.4066, -2.9719
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,745 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.4066, -2.9719
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