Panderruedas climb from Caín
By bicis.net community · One way
In short: Climb of 18.1 km and +1,042 m from Posada de Valdeón (León), at 5.8 % on average up to 1,459 m. It's very hard and takes about 2 h 15 to climb; its hardest kilometre is at 12.9 % and it's almost all on tarmac.
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Add to my calendar- Distance
- 18.1 km
- Elevation gain
- +1,042 m
- Max altitude
- 1,459 m
- Hardest km
- 12.9 %
- Difficulty
- Very hard
- Estimated time
- 2 h 15 min
7 water fountains within 250 m of the route, according to OpenStreetMap. Cycling map
Profile
Run your finger or mouse over the profile to see each point on the map.
Surface
Tarmac 98 % Track 2 % Trail 0 %
Almost all tarmac: ideal for a road bike. Measured on OpenStreetMap; there may be recent changes on the ground.
The route
Where it goes
You start in Caín, the village where the Cares gorge ends, and climb the whole Valdeón valley to the Panderruedas pass, on the way to Riaño. It's 18.1 km and +1,042 m, almost all on tarmac (98 %), with the wall of the Picos de Europa always at your back.
The first stretch, from Caín to Cordiñanes, is the most hemmed in: a narrow road, steep ramps and rock walls very close by. Then the valley opens up and you pass through Posada de Valdeón and Santa Marina, among meadows and beech woods.
Where it bites
The average is 5.8 %, but that's misleading: there are sections to recover and ramps that get very serious. The hardest kilometre is around 12.9 %. Save some strength for the final part on the LE-2711, which climbs through the forest to the 1,459 m summit.
Where to stop
Caín and Posada de Valdeón have bars, shops and fountains: fill up in Posada, your last sure stop before the pass. Near the top, the Piedrashitas viewpoint is a few minutes' walk from the roadside car park and a good spot for a photo of the valley.
When to go and what to watch out for
From May to October. In summer and on bank holidays the Caín section fills with cars of people heading for the Cares trail: set off early. In winter there may be snow on the pass and the descent stays icy in the shade.
Getting there
You reach Caín by going down from Posada de Valdeón; many riders prefer to park in Posada and roll down to warm up. There's no train in the valley. Have a look at the rest of the routes in Castilla y León to round off the weekend.
Sources for this text: Ayuntamiento de Posada de Valdeón · OpenStreetMap
Track based on OpenStreetMap (CIMA climb LE10-1) (ODbL).
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the Panderruedas climb from Caín?
- 18.1 km with +1,042 m of elevation gain and an average gradient of 5.8 %. The hardest kilometre is around 12.9 %.
- Where can you park?
- In Posada de Valdeón, which has more room than Caín. In summer the Caín car park fills up early.
- Is there water along the way?
- Yes, in Caín and Posada de Valdeón. After Posada there are no services until the pass.
- What's the best time of year to ride it?
- From May to October, early in the day in summer because of the Cares traffic. In winter there may be snow at the top.
Before you set off, check the state of the road or track and follow the traffic rules. Enjoy the ride.
Comments
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