
Where is Puerto de Ancares?
Spain, europe
14.1 km
1,670 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Puerto de Ancares, a seriously cool mountain pass straddling the border between autonomous regions in northwestern Spain. Locals also call it Collado de Ancares.
So, how tough is it? Well, the pavement's there, but let's just say it's seen better days. Plus, it's a real leg-burner, with some seriously steep sections. We're talking a maximum gradient that'll have you shifting gears like crazy! Even the Vuelta a España has tackled this climb, so you know it's legit.
The whole thing stretches for about 14.1 kilometers (that's 8.76 miles for my American friends) from the village of Tejedo de Ancares up to the top. And trust me, it's a pretty solitary drive.
Up top, you'll find a parking lot and a viewpoint with killer views. Just keep in mind that being high up in the Ancares Mountains means the weather can get wild. It's generally open year-round, but be prepared for possible winter closures if the snow gets heavy.
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,670 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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