Asturias, Spain · from La Vega
Alto de l'Angliru
The Angliru is widely considered the hardest climb in professional road cycling. The first half is merely hard; the second half is brutal, with sustained double-digit gradients and the infamous Cueña les Cabres ramp pitching up to around 23%. Gearing choice matters here more than on any other famous climb.
Route overview
Alto de l'Angliru · from La Vega
Schematic road geometry from the routed track, with 8 detected hairpins marked (filled markers are tighter than 15 m radius). Use it to see the shape of the climb, not for navigation.
Measured road detail
Taken from the Alto de l'Angliru track used by the 3D flyover: from La Vega · 532 road points
- Measured ascent
- 1175 m
- Elevation range
- 464 → 1587 m
- Hairpins detected
- 8
- Tightest hairpin
- 4.2 m radius
- Surface
- paved
Tightest hairpins on Alto de l'Angliru
- 2.7 km · 562 mLeft · 4.2 m
- 3.1 km · 607 mLeft · 17.9 m
- 8.4 km · 1407 mLeft · 10.9 m
- 8.8 km · 1458 mRight · 7.8 m
- 9.0 km · 1486 mLeft · 10.5 m
- 9.2 km · 1524 mRight · 10.3 m
Hairpins and elevations are derived from the routed track; road data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
How fast would you climb Alto de l'Angliru?
Enter your power and weight. A physics engine calculates your estimated time against the gradient profile.
Predict your
performance.
See how power and weight affect your time on a real climb.
*Demo simulation uses standard road bike physics (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004).
Alto de l'Angliru and the Tour
Discovered for professional cycling by race director Enrique Franco in 1999, the Angliru was introduced to the Vuelta a España to create a Spanish counterpart to the Mortirolo. It quickly earned a legendary reputation when riders struggled just to stay upright on the 23.5% Cueña les Cabres ramp in wet mountain mist.
João Almeida and Jonas Vingegaard equalled Roberto Heras's 2000 all-time race record on the Angliru in the 2025 Vuelta, stopping the clock in 41:55 for the 12.8 km ascent from La Vega.
41:55 for the 12.8 km climb from La Vega, matching Roberto Heras's legendary year-2000 benchmark.
Riding it yourself
When to go
May to October. Asturian weather is famously volatile; rain and thick fog on the upper 23% ramps require extreme caution on the descent.
Base & logistics
Base in Oviedo or Riosa. Compact chainsets (34t or 30t inner ring) and 34t or 36t rear sprockets are strongly recommended.
FAQ
How long is the Alto de l'Angliru climb?
From La Vega, the climb is about 12.4 km with roughly 1248 m of elevation gain at 10.1% average gradient (based on the simplified profile used by this simulator; published figures vary slightly by source).
How long does it take to cycle up Alto de l'Angliru?
It depends almost entirely on your power-to-weight ratio. Use the simulator on this page: enter your FTP and weight, and a physics model (air resistance, rolling resistance, gravity) estimates your time on the gradient profile.
Can I see Alto de l'Angliru in 3D before riding it?
Yes. The route overview on this page has a 3D flyover that follows the real road: 532 routed points covering from La Vega, with terrain, gradient and the road's own bends. It runs in the browser, no account needed.
How many hairpins does Alto de l'Angliru have?
8 hairpin bends are detected on the routed track, the tightest turning inside a 4.2 m radius. They are marked on the 2D sketch and ridden in order in the 3D flyover.
How accurate is the time simulation?
The simulator uses a simplified segment profile and standard road bike assumptions (CdA 0.32, Crr 0.004, 8 kg bike). It does not model wind, drafting, altitude, surface or pacing errors, so treat the result as a realistic estimate, not a guarantee.
How should I train for Alto de l'Angliru?
Sustained climbs reward steady threshold and sweet spot work plus a power-to-weight improvement over weeks, not days. TrainCraft builds structured cycling training plans and adapts them when you miss sessions, using fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB).
More famous climbs
Preparing for this climb?
A climb like this is won weeks in advance. TrainCraft builds a structured plan around your FTP and available hours, and adapts it when you miss a workout.
Start Training FreeThe profile is simplified into 6 segments for simulation; real gradients vary metre by metre. Stats shown are derived from this simulated profile and closely match commonly published figures. Time estimates assume standard road bike physics and no wind.
Training for a climb like this?
TrainCraft builds structured training plans and adapts them when life gets in the way — real fatigue science (CTL/ATL/TSB), visual workout builder, Strava & Garmin sync. Free to start.