Bernia (bis)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Altea la Vieja	687m	627m	5.2 km	12.1%	1,207	****

Climb Description

Bernia (bis) is a fairly short but terribly steep climb. It's a dead end and so you have to descend the same way, and it's not much fun to ride, so why the **** rating?

Well, the scenery is great. From the Bernia mountains there are fantastic views over the coast, looking down towards Altea and Benidorm. But, to be honest, you won't really appreciate them given how hard the climb is - and you will be concentrating too much on the road during the descent.

Bernia (bis) is essentially just about the challenge of riding such a steep road. Testing yourself on one of the toughest climbs in the region. The final three kilometres have gradients that regularly punch above 20%, and their average is something more associated with climbs like Angliru and Zoncolan.

Bernia (bis) is not as hard as those two though, because the suffering is only 3km after all. If you want to embrace the challenge, then go for it! But, be warned, that you probably won't enjoy it all that much.

Bernia is open throughout the whole year. We wouldn't recommend it though if the road is wet.

Roads & Traffic

The road surface is generally in very good condition. The last kilometre is a concrete surface rather than asphalt, but it rolls well and is pretty smooth.

There is very little traffic on the climb.

Alternative Routes

This is the only way to climb this side of the Bernia mountains. Just across the peaks though, there are two more humane ascents into the Sierra de Bernia.

One starts in Xaló and the other begins near to the town of Benissa.

Nearby Climbs

Cumbre del Sol

Benimantell

Bernia

Coll de Rates

Confrides

Port d'Ebo

Cycling Holidays

Bernia (bis) can be climbed as an optional route extension on our Mountains of the Costa Blanca cycling holiday.

In the links below you can find out more about this and some similar tours that we run in the mountains of Spain.