Aia (Aritzmendi)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Andatza	315m	206m	1.4 km	14.7%	665	***

Climb Description

Aia is a short and steep climb that has become famous thanks to a successive appearances in recent editions of the Tour of the Basque Country stage race. The short and brutal ascent from this side was the final climb on the queen stage of the 2015 edition of the race, won by Astana's Mikel Landa. The time trial the following day also finished on this epic stretch of road, with Tom Dumoulin taking the win. Joaquin Rodriguez - a cyclist born to ride gradients such as these - finished second on the day and won the overall title.

The ascent may only be 1.4km but it is a brutal climb - one of the hardest muritos in professional cycling. It is significantly steeper than Mur de Huy and perhaps only Muro di Sormano in Lombardia and Galicia's Mirador de Ezaro, pack such a punch in such a short distance. The gradient is above 10% throughout, with just the slightest easing off towards the end of the 1st kilometre. However, the sting in the tail is the 28% gradient in the final 150m.

The scenery is picturesque, set in the Pagoeta Natural Park - but we doubt you will be in a fit state to appreciate it. The short nature of the climb, however, does make it more accessible for amateurs than monsters like

The climb to Aia is open throughout the year.

Roads & Traffic

The road is very narrow, but is in good condition throughout.

There is virtually no traffic on this side of the climb.

Alternative Routes

Aia can be climbed from four other sides. The two main routes coming from Orio (GI-2631) and Andatza are both easy, steady ascents with no difficulties. The climb from the south is even longer and more gentle, with a false flat for 10km before Aia.

The second most challenging side is the direct ascent from Orio.

Nearby Climbs

Garate

Urdaneta

Monte Igueldo

Azurki

Itziar

Iturburu

Bordako Tontorra

Jaizkibel

Cycling Holidays

Our Basque Mountains cycling holiday climbs to Aia.

In the links below you can find out more about these and other similar tours that we run in the region.