Navacerrada Pass from Cercedilla
A mountainous 12 km road cycling route from Cercedilla through Navacerrada, with 689 m of climbing over the Cercedilla climb. Most of it (8.7 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 12.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 689 m
- Riding time
- 53 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Cercedilla
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 689 m
- 12 km
Route description
- Cercedilla
- Cercedilla climb
- Navacerrada
The ride starts in Cercedilla at 1163 m beneath Cerro Colgado (1351 m). It ascends gradually, passing through Navacerrada at 4.4 km, and continues climbing to Puerto de Navacerrada at 1852 m over 12.3 km, with a total gain of 689 m. The main climb begins at 1.6 km and covers 10.7 km at an average gradient of 6.5%, reaching a maximum gradient of 10.9%. The road surface is 99% paved with a minor 1% unpaved section.
The route uses mostly major roads (64%) including the M-601 for 7.5 km, minor roads for 25%, and a short stretch of main road for 7%. There are 8.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes. The profile includes 85% climbing, 6% descending and 9% flat sections. There is a longest stretch without café, shop or water between 4.9 km and 7.1 km (2.2 km).
Facilities at the start include cafés, bakeries, a supermarket, and a bike shop. At Navacerrada (4.9 km) there is a restaurant and spring water. At the top near Puerto de Navacerrada, cafés, restaurants, a kiosk, and a hospital are available. Bailout points with stations are at Cercedilla and near the pass. The route runs beneath peaks including Peña Pintada (1858 m) and Risco de los Emburriaderos (1959 m).
Why ride this route?
- Climbs the Cercedilla climb (10.7 km at 6.5 %).
- Tops out at 1,852 m, 12.3 km in.
Highlights
- Climb from Cercedilla to Puerto de Navacerrada
- Peña Pintada peak near km 9.1
- 2.2 km without café or water between km 4.9 and 7.1
- Peaks: Peña Horcón and Risco de los Emburriaderos near km 11
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cercedilla climb | 1.6 km | 10.7 km · 689 m · 6.5 % · max 10.9 % | 10.7 km · 689 m · 6.5 % | 1852 m |
Cercedilla climb · full ascent, starts at 1.6 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 71% is on main roads without a cycle lane. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 64% major road · 25% minor road · 7% main road · 4% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 8.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- M-601 (8 km), M-622 (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 85% climbing · 6% descending · 9% flat
- Steep sections
- 8.6 km over 5% · 2 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10%
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 39 cafés and restaurants, 10 shops, 12 water points and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.2 kmLorena III · bakery · on the route
- 0.3 kmDia · supermarket · on the route
- 0.4 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 0.6 kmMonkey Business Garage · bike shop · 150 m off route
- 0.6 kmCentro de Salud de Cercedilla · clinic · 70 m off route
- 4.9 kmLa Fonda Real · restaurant · 40 m off route
- 4.9 kmFuente de la Fonda Real · spring · 110 m off route
- 8.4 kmFuente de los Baldíos · drinking water · on the route
- 11.6 kmSpring · 60 m off route
- 12.1 kmEl Mirador · café · 30 m off route
- 12.2 kmI Love Ski · kiosk · on the route
- 12.2 kmClínica Mutualidad Deportiva · hospital · 70 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Cercedilla (station), 940 m off route
- 11.6 km — Puerto de Navacerrada (station), 240 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Cercedilla Pueblo (attraction)
- 8.6 km — Pino de la Cadena (attraction)
- 12.3 km — Mirador del Puerto (viewpoint)
Stay after this ride
- Pasadoiro · hotel · 50 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Colonial (10 m), Martín (100 m), Lorena III (120 m)
- Shops
- Dia (250 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- El Mirador (120 m), Dos Castillas (20 m), Venta Arias (50 m)
- Shops
- I Love Ski (30 m)
- Pharmacy and medical
- Clínica Mutualidad Deportiva (90 m)
Know before you go
- 8.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 2.2 km without café, shop or water between 4.9 km and 7.1 km