The Pandetrave from Caín is a fantastic climb, which offers varying challenges along with consistently excellent scenery. The most interesting part is at the beginning, following the steeply undulating and narrow road from the village of Caín to the crossroad at Posada de Valdeón. The stunning narrow gorge and rock formations won't make you forget the fact that you are climbing stretches in excess of 20% gradient, but their beauty may at least ease the pain a little.
Caín is well known for being one end of the Cares Gorge walk - one of the most popular hiking routes in Spain. The other end incidentally is in Poncebos - at the foot of Jito de Escarandi. Alas, it is not possible to pass through the Cares Gorge on a bicycle.
The scenery on offer on the Pandetrave is more than good enough though; this is the Picos de Europa at their finest, with steep peaks and glorious rock formations giving the road a claustrophobic feel. From Posada de Valdeón the scenery opens up and the road becomes wider. The gradients remain inconsistent though, and it is not until the hairpins start 5km from the top that you can really begin to find a nice rhythm.
To get to the start of this climb in Caín, it is necessary to descend the same road that you will then climb back up; there is no possibility to do a circular route on a road bike. Beware that this descent also contains a short but killer climb in it - one which averages 19% for around 250m.
The road from Caín to Posada de Valdeón is usually open throughout the year. The top of Panderrueda can be closed at times for snow between November and April - although it is periodically cleared.
There is open scenery on much of the climb
Roads & Traffic
The road surface is in mixed condition, but it is easily rideable throughout on a road bike.
There is little traffic on the climb throughout most of the year. On weekends in the summer the road from Caín to Posada de Valdeón can become quite busy with cares driving to the start of the famous Cares Gorge route.
The road surface is not always the best, but this is still an enjoyable climb
Alternative Routes
Pandetrave can also be climbed from the south. This is a short and gentle climb which links up with the west side of Puerto de San Glorio.
Spain