Lakes of Covadonga from Cangas de Onís
A mountainous 15 km road cycling route from Cangas de Onís through Cuadonga / Covadonga, with 963 m of climbing over Porra de Enol.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 14.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 963 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 02 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Oct
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Cangas de Onís
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 963 m
- 15 km
Route description
- Cangas de Onís
- Porra de Enol
- Cuadonga / Covadonga
Starting near Cangas de Onís at about 165 m elevation, the route begins its main climb at 1.1 km. The climb stretches over 12.2 km, gaining 944 m at an average gradient of 7.8%, with a maximum of 13.3%. The highest point is at 1,114 m reached around 13.3 km. The road surface is mostly paved (94%) with 6% gravel or unpaved sections. The road type is predominantly minor road for 11.5 km, with 1.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane, mainly along the CO-4 for 11.2 km.
Along the ascent you pass Cuadonga / Covadonga at 2.6 km and can find a café (Hospedería del Peregrino) and a spring (Fonte de Cuadonga) just off the route near this point. There are three viewpoints that are worth a stop: Mirador de los Canónigos at 4.6 km, Mirador de la Reina at 10 km, and Mirador de La Picota near the finish at 14.2 km. The route includes a notable descent of 1 km from 13.4 km dropping 405 m, following the long climb. There is a stretch of 8.9 km between 2.7 and 11.6 km without café, shop or water.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Porra de Enol (12.2 km at 7.8 %).
- Tops out at 1,114 m, 13.3 km in.
Highlights
- Climb averaging 7.8% over 12.2 km
- Peak elevation 1114 m near 13.3 km
- Viewpoints Mirador de los Canónigos and Mirador de la Reina
- Lakes of Covadonga area near finish
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porra de Enol | 1.1 km | 12.2 km · 944 m · 7.8 % · max 13.3 % | 12.2 km · 944 m · 7.8 % | 1114 m |
Porra de Enol · full ascent, starts at 1.1 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 1.9 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 80% minor road · 13% main road · 6% path · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 1.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- CO-4 (11 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 94% is mapped as paved, 6% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 83% climbing · 12% descending · 4% flat
- Steep sections
- 9.8 km over 5% · 6.8 km over 8% · 3.9 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 13.2% at 8 km
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 9 cafés and restaurants, 3 water points and 5 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 2.5 kmHospedería del Peregrino · café · on the route
- 2.5 kmToilets · 150 m off route
- 2.6 kmFonte de Cuadonga · spring · 200 m off route
- 11.6 kmSpring · 90 m off route
- 14.1 kmEl Casín · restaurant · 120 m off route
- 14.4 kmToilets · 110 m off route
Worth a stop
- 4.6 km — Mirador de los Canónigos (viewpoint)
- 10 km — Mirador de la Reina (viewpoint)
- 14.2 km — Mirador de La Picota (viewpoint)
Stay after this ride
- Refugio de la Vega de Enol · hostel · 1.3 km from the finish
- La Llastria · apartment · 4.0 km from the finish
- Apartamentos rurales Gamonedo · apartment · 4.0 km from the finish
- La Terrentosa · apartment · 3.9 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- La Estación (470 m), El Repelao (520 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- El Casín (280 m)
Know before you go
- 1.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 8.9 km without café, shop or water from 2.7 to 11.6 km
- Maximum gradient 13.3% at 8 km
- 6% gravel or unpaved surface