The highest paved climb in Europe
Pico de Veleta – 3,396 meters
The Pico de Veleta is located in the Sierra Nevada. At 3,300 meters, it is not only the highest paved climb in Spain, but also in all of Europe.
However, the actual summit is another kilometer further on at 3,396 meters, but that last stretch is on an unpaved road. With a climb of 2,772 meters, it is even number one in Europe. The climb up Pico de Veleta is one of the greatest cycling challenges. To give an example, the altitude difference is twice that of the Tourmalet and more than double that of Alpe d’Huez. It may lack the fame of the Col du Tourmalet, the Ventoux or l’Alpe d’Huez, but the Veleta is much longer and tougher than those French mountains. Pico de Veleta is located in the Sierra Nevada, Andalusia, and the easiest version of the climb starts in the city of Granada.
"The Pico de Veleta is one of the greatest challenges"
There are four options for starting the climb. We have listed them below:
From Granada – Cenes de la Vega
Length: 42.7km
Average gradient: 6.29%
Steepest 100 meters: 13%
Elevation gain: 2687m
The road takes you from Granada 42.7 kilometers from an altitude of 709 meters to the summit at 3,396 meters. With an average gradient of 6.3%, you will conquer no less than 2,687 meters of elevation gain. The main road to the top of Veleta runs via the A395 all the way to the top of the ski resort at 2700 meters, after which the road narrows and is closed to traffic. The entire climb is steady, without any really difficult sections. However, the length and – something that is often forgotten in descriptions of cols – the altitude make it a very tough undertaking. At the start of the climb, there is sometimes a lot of traffic, which is why we don’t particularly like this variant. However, there are three very nice alternatives, all of which we highly recommend.
From Monachil
Length: 42.4km
Average gradient: 6.5%
Steepest 100 meters: 13.4%
Elevation gain: 2772 m
The first of the three alternatives starts just before the village of Monachil and runs along a narrow, quiet road for 14 kilometers, after which it joins the main road. It is an irregular climb with a few short descents and gradients that reach well into double digits in several sections. However, the amazing views through a piece of unspoiled nature will more than compensate for the effort.
From Pinos Genil
Length: 38.7 km
Average gradient: 6.8%
Steepest 100 meters: 11.4%
Elevation gain: 2621 m
Another very nice option is the climb along the north side of the Embalse de Canales from Pinos Genil via Guejar Sierra. This is a very picturesque route on traffic-free roads, with beautiful views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Embalse de Canales everywhere. As with the route from Monachil, however, there are some steep sections at the beginning of the climb. Pacing yourself is key here, because don’t forget that you have to cross the 2,000 and even the 3,000-meter mark! The road also connects to the main highway, but does so a few kilometers closer to the summit than the route via Monachil.
Via Haza Llanas
Length: 40.4km
Average gradient: 6.8%
Steepest 100 meters: 15.1%
Elevation gain: 2742m
The third good option is the climb via Haza Llanas. This is the favorite route of the Vuelta a España – which arrives at the much lower Sierra Nevada Ski Resort – and is also a very pleasant route on a very quiet road. In our opinion, this is the hardest climb of all, with gradients of more than 20% in the first part of the climb. We rank the climb via Monachil as the second most difficult.
Timing to start the climb
The best periods to complete the entire climb to the summit are from around May 20 to mid-June and from early September to October 10. During these two periods, the roads are quiet, there is usually no snow at the summit, and daytime temperatures are generally not scorching hot. From October to May, the road is cleared up to an altitude of 2,700 m, so you can still enjoy a nice drive, but not all the way to the top. We do not recommend climbing Pico de Veleta in the middle of summer because it is simply too hot to tackle such a beast of a climb. Be sure to bring a warm jacket because it can freeze at the top even in summer, and you will be glad to have something warm around your body on the descent.
In any case, if you are in the Granada area, we recommend cycling in the Sierra Nevada National Park and climbing part of the Veleta, regardless of the time of year. It is a beautiful area and it is a special feeling to climb the highest paved road in Europe.
Text: Patrick Van Gansen
