Where is Alto de la Cobertoria?
Spain, europe
19.4 km
1,181 m
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for an epic climb up Alto de la Cobertoria in Asturias, Spain! This mountain pass tops out at a cool 1,181 meters (that's 3,874 feet!), and let me tell you, it's a beast. You'll be tackling some serious slopes, with gradients hitting a max of 12.3% in spots – hold on tight!
This baby's located in the northern part of Spain, and the road itself is the AS-230. You'll be winding for about 19.4 km (or 12.05 miles) from Bárzana to Pola de Lena. The pavement is in good shape, but be warned: this road is seriously curvy. Hairpin turns galore! If you get carsick easily, maybe pop a Dramamine before you go.
Up at the top, besides the incredible views, you can check out a megalithic necropolis with tombs dating way back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages! It's a pretty amazing historical spot.
The pass is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. Snow can cause closures. And pro cyclists know this climb well, as it's often featured in the Vuelta a España, making those stages extra challenging. The average gradient on the east side is around 8.85%, and on the west, it's about 8.52%. So, yeah, it's a climb! But the views? Totally worth it.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 19.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,181 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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