Collado de la Hoz (La Hermida)

Climb Description

Collado de la Hoz from La Hermida is a picturesque climbing starting from the Deva River. Despite being relatively short, there is a nice variety of scenery on the climb. The lower slopes offer views across to the valley to the Picos de Europa National Park. After passing through the village of Linares you turn a corner and the landscape becomes more rolling, with the green hills that are so characteristic of the Cantabria region.

The climb is best known in cycling circles for its role in deciding the outcome of the 2012 Vuelta a España race. It was here where Alberto Contador launched a decisive long range attack, eventually winning the stage at Fuente Dé The attack on such a gentle climb caught his rivals unaware, and it enabled Contador to gain significant time on the race leader Joaquim Rodríguez. Contador went on to win the overall race, after holding off attacks on the penultimate stage to Bola del Mundo.

Collado de la Hoz is close to many other medium length climb,s which makes it a good choice to include in a longer route. It is open throughout the year.

---

Roads & Traffic