키로스‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪16‬개의 산 정상

The pass is now paved and can be driven on by car.

During the mining era, this pass served as a discreet link between mines on either side, and minimal traces of old cart and mule traffic remain, though they don't coincide with the current road. From above, the wind is almost constant, and the view towards the Saliencia lakes has that air of a "natural viewpoint" before the term even existed. It's perfect to mark on Komoot as a key point on your route due to its spaciousness, its somewhat hidden history, and its character as a natural border.

Upon reaching the summit, you don't arrive at a village or a tourist center, but rather at a kind of natural balcony overlooking the Lena mountain passes, which gives a strange feeling, as if you've stepped onto an empty stage. And on clear days, the wind is louder among the mountain passes than any car, because traffic is minimal.

For decades, La Cubilla was practically a ghost town: a road built to connect mining valleys, used more by livestock farmers and scattered trucks than by travelers. This lack of traffic left a remarkably clean route, free of curves, absurd straights, and modern widenings: pure mountain design from another era. That's why many cyclists say it "looks more like an Alpine pass than a Cantabrian one," with those giant limestone walls silently accompanying you.

One of the toughest climbs in Europe, try to save your strength, the hard part is at the end.

Only the most avid cyclists dare to climb this plain in the middle of nowhere. The satisfaction of summiting this extremely tough pass and taking in the views is within reach of only a few.

The La Cubilla mountain pass is located at an altitude of 1,683 meters, on the border between Asturias and León. Its rugged terrain and the beauty of its surroundings have earned it the title of stage finisher of the Vuelta a España, making it one of the most iconic climbs among cyclists.

The climb can be tough, but the descent shouldn't be underestimated, especially for those with caliper brakes, as the tires can get very hot, and my advice is to stop every two or three minutes to give it time to cool down.