Padornelo climb from Lubián

Where it goes

You start in Lubián, in A Raia, the corner of Zamora that touches Galicia and Portugal, and climb on the old N-525. Since the A-52 motorway opened hardly any cars use it, so you have a wide road with good tarmac almost to yourself. It's 21.7 km and 857 m of elevation gain with an average gradient of 3.9%: more endurance than ramps. The first section runs among chestnut and oak trees, with the Tuela valley below. Higher up the forest opens out and you enter heath and broom all the way to the top, the gateway to Sanabria.

Where it bites

The climb is very steady, and that's why it's deceptive: no section will scare you, but it's a lot of kilometres without a break. The hardest kilometre reaches 9.3%. Keep something for the upper part, where the wind usually blows and you feel the cold more than in Lubián.

Where to stop

In Lubián there's a bar and a fountain, and room to leave the car. From there on there are no services until the top, so set off with both bottles full and something to eat. On the other side, heading down through Requejo, you'll find Sanabria villages with bars.

When to go

From May to October. In winter snow and ice are common at the top, and fog can close in within minutes at any time of year: take front and rear lights, and a windproof for the descent. In autumn, the chestnut trees in the valley turn golden.

Getting there

By car, on the A-52, taking the Lubián exit. By train, the nearest high-speed station is Sanabria AV, in Otero de Sanabria, on the other side of the pass. If you want to climb this side from there, you'll have to ride down the pass first. Before you set off, check Renfe's conditions for taking your bike on the train.