Lagos de Covadonga: La Huesera, two lakes and the Vuelta's classic finish

The road to the Lagos de Covadonga climbs from the sanctuary of Covadonga into the Picos de Europa National Park and ends beside two mountain lakes, Enol and Ercina. It has been a Vuelta a España finish since 1983, and Turespaña says it marked a before and after for the race. Turismo Asturias describes it as an extremely tough 14 km climb with more than 1,000 m of climbing, and its hardest part, La Huesera, comes in the first half. Here is the climb section by section, how to pace it, and why summer is a good time to ride it: cars are restricted but bicycles are not.

The climb, from the basilica to the lakes

The climb starts at the roundabout below the Basilica of Covadonga, where the road to the lakes begins. Our track runs 13.7 km from Covadonga to Lago de la Ercina, with 975 m of climbing.

• The forest: 5 km at 7–10%. Turismo Asturias's route sheet describes a first 5 km through the forest, past the Mirador de los Canónigos, at 7 to 10%. After an easy first kilometre, our track holds between 7.6% and 9.7% the whole way.
• La Huesera: the crux. 1.5 km at an average of 12%, with peaks of 15%. Turespaña names it the hardest section of the climb. Our track's two steepest kilometres, at 11.1% and 11.5%, fall here.
• To the Mirador de la Reina. More hairpins at 13% and 14%, then the road reaches the viewpoint. On our track the gradient drops back to 7–8% here.
• The lakes: a broken finish. From the Mirador de la Reina it is 3 km to Lake Enol and 4 km to Lake Ercina. This part is not one steady climb. Our track has a near-flat kilometre, a short descent and a final rise to Ercina. Turismo Asturias gives Enol's altitude as 1,070 m and Ercina's as 1,108 m.

How to pace it

Most of the climbing is done in the first 7 km. If you get the start right, the rest is manageable. If you get it wrong, La Huesera will show you.

• Settle in early. The second kilometre is already at almost 10%. Ride the forest at 85–90% of FTP, seated, and don't respond to the steeper bends. Our guide to pacing a climb with power covers why steady beats surging.
• Accept the slowdown at La Huesera. At 12–15%, your speed falls a lot more than your power should. Stand briefly on the steepest ramps if it helps. A compact and a 32 or 34 sprocket make it much easier; see gearing for climbing.
• Change rhythm at the Mirador de la Reina. After the viewpoint the road flattens, dips and climbs again. Shift up on the flat, keep pedalling on the descent, and save one last effort for the rise to Ercina.
• Watch the traffic below. Turismo Asturias warns that the roads before Covadonga carry heavy traffic, particularly in summer and at weekends.

The Vuelta's classic finish

Spain's tourist board says the Lagos de Covadonga first appeared as a Vuelta finish in 1983 and has been a classic of the race ever since, in the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. Stages can start in Cangas de Onís and follow the road to the sanctuary of Covadonga before the climb. The finish line is set among the lakes. Turismo Asturias calls the climb one of the landmarks of international cycling.

When to go: cars restricted, bikes welcome

• Car restrictions. The CO-4 is the only road open to private vehicles to the lakes, and on restriction days private cars are banned around the clock. In 2026 the main restriction period ran from 1 June to 18 October, with other periods around Easter, weekends in May, and early December. Visitors ride buses from car parks below.
• Bicycles are exempt. Turismo Asturias's access page says plainly that bicycles are not affected by the restrictions. On a restriction day, the climb is shared only with buses and authorised vehicles, so summer is a good time to ride it.
• Check the dates. The restriction calendar is set each year. Check Turismo Asturias's access page before you go.
• Bring layers. You finish at more than 1,000 m in the mountains, and the descent is long. Pack a gilet even on a warm day in Cangas de Onís.
• Nearby. The Angliru, the Vuelta's other great Asturian climb, is in the Sierra del Aramo near Oviedo.

Ride it in Moveee Indoor

The route on this page is the real road from Covadonga to Lake Ercina. In Moveee Indoor your smart trainer reproduces its gradient as you ride, from the forest to La Huesera and the broken run to the lakes, and the world around you is built from map data of the place. Indoors it teaches you two things: how hard you can ride the first 5 km and still get over La Huesera, and how to change rhythm on the last section.

Your rides are saved with power data, so you can compare different starts and see which one gives the best time. To use another device, download the GPX above. Our guide to previewing a course indoors has more ideas for training on a real road.

The short version

About 14 km and over 1,000 m from Covadonga to the lakes, by Turismo Asturias's figures, with La Huesera at 12% for 1.5 km and ramps of 13–14% above it. The first 7 km decide the climb; the last part is broken, with a flat and a dip before Ercina. Pace the forest, accept the slowdown at La Huesera, and go in summer, when cars are restricted and bicycles are not.