Ruta de cicloturismo. El zigzag de Casielles

This ascent to the small village of Casielles, with its 23 bends in just 3 kilometres, is also known as the "Petit Alpe d'Huez" and is a real challenge, both in terms of the gradient and the steepness of the climb, in an incomparable setting in the heart of the Picos de Europa.

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Distance Distance: 3,9 kms
Difficulty Difficulty: Easy
Total ascent Total ascent: 490 m
Maximum altitude Maximum altitude: 807 m
Minimum altitude Minimum altitude: 365 m
IBP index IBP index: 48

Route Mythical mountain passes
Type of bicycle Type of bicycle: Road
Type of route Type of route: Linear
Return by Train Return by Train: No

Starting point Starting point: La Huera Bridge
Ending point Ending point: Casielles
Estimated duration Estimated duration: Half day

This short but intense route starts at the junction of the N-625 at Puente La Huera, in the middle of the Los Bellos gorge, with the road to Casielles and Viboli, and starts at the Foz de Los Andamios.

For a kilometre, the road, which is very narrow and carved into the rock, climbs steeply upwards until it reaches the bridge that crosses the river Viboli, from where the ascent to Casielles proper begins.

The climb, based on very hard ramps and continuous horseshoe bends, has an average gradient of around 12.3% which, however, is deceptive, as there are continual peaks of 17%, 18% and in some cases over 20%, until you reach the church of San Juan, in the highest part of the village.

On the other hand, as we gain altitude, the landscape opens up and allows us to appreciate the magnitude of the Los Bellos gorge and the mountainous massifs that delimit it, with simply spectacular views.

Given its short distance, it is common to incorporate this route into longer days, making the approach from Cangues d'Onís/Cangas de Onís, for example, leaving this lovely and beautiful ascent as the culmination of a memorable route.