El Caracol (Selaya)

Start Town Altitude Elevation Gain Length Gradient Difficulty Rating
Selaya 822m 593m 10.8 km 5.5% 402 ***






El Caracol - Selaya - Cycling Profile

Click on the profile to view in full screen (🔍)




Climb Description

El Caracol from Selaya is a medium length climb linking the Collados de Asón Natural Park with the Pisueña Valley. A circular route over El Caracol is very popular with local riders based on the nearby regional capital - Santander. The scenery is typical of the Cantabria region, with rolling green hills as far as the eye can see and the gradient only very rarely nudges above 10%.

El Caracol is a regular in the Vuelta a España, although it has never been used as a stage finish. Riders first over the top in recent years have included David Millar, Nico Sijmens, Vasili Kiryienka and Luis León Sanchez.

The climb is open throughout the year.




Roads & Traffic

The road is in very good condition and there is little traffic on this climb.




Alternative Routes

El Caracol can also be climbed from the east, starting in San Roque.





Nearby Climbs


Collado Espina

Alisas

Puerto de la Sía

Picon del Fraile

Peña Cabarga






Cycling Holidays

We don't currently run any tours in this part of Cantabria. If you would be interested in customizing an itinerary to this region, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss the options.

You may also be interested in the links below to some of the holidays that we currently run nearby in Northern Spain.




Picos de Europa National Park
Spanish FlagSpain

Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 8 Days
Level: Difficulty Medium to Challenging
Price: from €1,490 EUR
Basque Mountains
Basque Flag Spanish FlagSpain

Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 7 Days
Level: Difficulty Easy to Medium
Price: from €1,480 EUR
Lagos de Covadonga
Spanish FlagSpain

Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Length: 8 Days
Level: Difficulty Challenging-Hard
Price: from €1,490 EUR