At the roundabout at the entrance to Pola de Lena there is a monolith that indicates the kilometers remaining to each of its legendary mountain passes; so if you are passionate about mountain bike touring and are considering a few days of "rest" in these parts, know that you can leave your accommodation every morning in one direction or another, until you complete all the climbs (or as many as you can manage).
Cycling tradition
Although it all began in the mid-20th century—with figures like Julio Jiménez and Bahamontes competing in races in the area—it is in recent decades that Lena has exploded onto the scene as one of the key venues for Spanish cycling. The Vuelta a los Valles Mineros, the Vuelta Ciclista a la Montaña Central de Asturias, the Vuelta Asturias, and the Vuelta a España all pass through the region . The latter has traversed the landscapes of Lena on more than thirty occasions, with stage finishes at Pajares, La Cobertoria, the Alto de La Cubilla, El Gamoniteiru, and El Cuitu Negru.
Furthermore, great chapters of the race have been written here, among the most remembered the spectacular fall of Alex Zülle in 1993, when descending La Cobertoria he said goodbye to his chances of winning La Vuelta in favor of Rominger.
If we add to the feats of cycling the beauty of the routes in the heart of the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park (beautiful native forests alternate with large, steep peaks along roads with little traffic), it is no wonder that the pilgrimage of fans is continuous towards this promised land.
Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park
This is a magnificent mountainous region with a landscape of strong contrasts, located in the… Read more
According to data from tourism associations, revenue from cycle tourism (including overnight stays and restaurant services) accounts for more than 65% of total hospitality revenue in this area. This figure is significantly higher than that generated by snow sports, which is no small matter in Lena, given that it is home to the Valgrande-Pajares ski resort , and the San Isidro resort is also very close by in the neighboring municipality of Aller.
Skiing in Asturias
All three locations offer excellent facilities for enjoying the snow and provide accommodation for… Read more
In this region, cycling is a major economic driver. And a sustainable one, thanks to the environmental awareness fostered by the cyclists themselves.
High-altitude cycle touring
Those who come to ride in Lena do so because they love the mountains. With each pedal stroke, they climb those peaks that give meaning to their journey. For them, the allure of the views they leave behind rivals the rewarding effort of continuing to push upwards. Upon reaching the summit, they always promise themselves to repeat the feat. That's why the mountain passes of Lena are not just a test of endurance, but an ascent to the very essence of cycling.
There's Cuitu Negru with its 23,5 kilometers at 6,1% and ramps of up to 25%. La Cubilla : 28 kilometers at 4,7%. La Cobertoria : 10 kilometers at 8,5%. El Cordal : 5,6 kilometers at 9%. El Cuchu Puercu (via El Cordal): 11 kilometers at 6,9%. And very close by, other legendary climbs like El Gamoniteiru : 20,2 kilometers at 7,2% (the summit belongs to Quirós, but the ascent passes through Lena), or the Angliru itself . It's possible to organize a climb to this colossus also starting from Lena and after ascending El Cordal, a short but tough climb that serves as an appetizer for the ramps we'll encounter later, around 20% (be careful on the descents as the tires get extremely hot).
Alto del Gamoniteiro
Gamoniteiru had always been up there, unspoken, with its unmistakable… Read more
The Port of Angliru
There are mountain passes and then there are mountain passes. When climbing them on foot with livestock, or by bicycle, we can… Read more
The major mountain passes, combined with the numerous route variations and the different approaches from which to attack the summits, have gradually led to the creation of circuits that are more complete and demanding than the climbs themselves. Here, for example, we propose a "Lena stage" for the brave : 125 kilometers, four mountain passes, and 4.000 meters of accumulated elevation gain , with an initial ascent via Pajares, followed by Carabanzo, Cuchu Puercu, and a finish at the summit of La Cubilla.
The "La Cubilla" Cyclotourist March is one of the most popular events on the Asturian calendar. It takes place every year in May and attracts cycling enthusiasts from all over Europe.
Alto de la Cubilla
Climbing to this mountain pass is like reaching one of the highest points in the Asturian landscape. Cycling enthusiasts will find it… Read more
If you like this sport, you can't miss it. You'll definitely get hooked and gradually tackle the challenges this region has to offer.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
