Campumanes-Pajares-Cuitu Negro
- Campumanes
- Distance: 26 kms
- Difficulty: Very hard
- Total ascent: 1646 m
- Maximum altitude: 1840 m
- Minimum altitude: 375 m
- IBP index: 162
- Mythical mountain passes
- Type of bicycle: Road
- Type of route: Linear
- Return by Train: No
This route combines the ascent to Puerto de Pajares, a classic of the Vuelta Ciclista a España, with the ascent to Cuitu Negro, a continuation of Payares-El Brañiḷḷín, in the highest part of the Valgrande Pajares ski resort, and accessible since 2012 through the asphalting of the track that gives access to this section. It is a long and tough climb, especially from the village of Payares onwards, and with an extremely demanding finish.
Starting from Campumanes, the climb to Payares begins at the Los Fierros bridge, with some thirteen kilometres at an average gradient of 6.9%, which increases towards the end with ramps on the last bends before reaching the pass of 15 and 17%. From the pass, and after a short descent, you reach the crossroads that leads to the ski resort, just over three kilometres away, on a road with asphalt that shows the rigours of winter.
From El Brañiḷḷín it is just over three kilometres to reach the Cuitu Negro (1841 m) with very steep slopes with an average gradient of 12%, although the final stretch is over 20%. In addition to the steep gradient, the uneven road surface makes access to the summit even tougher.
Obviously, the ascent to Cuitu Negro is not feasible in winter.
