
Where Is Alto del Moncalvillo?
Spain, europe
8.6 km
1,480 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a climb for you in the stunning La Rioja region of Spain, near the Sierra de Moncalvillo mountain range. It's Alto del Moncalvillo – a peak sitting pretty at 4,855 feet!
Now, this isn’t your average Sunday drive. The road to the top – also known as Llano de las Ovejas – clocks in at about 5.34 miles, but don't let the short distance fool you. This baby packs a punch! You'll be grinding your way up, gaining serious elevation, with an average gradient of around 9.1% and some seriously steep sections hitting 15%!
Heads up – the pavement's a bit patchy in places, so keep your eyes peeled for rough spots. But trust me, the views are worth it! And if you are a bike fan, the Vuelta a España has even featured this climb. So get ready to conquer some serious slopes and soak in those incredible Spanish vistas!
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,480 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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