A sensational road to Jito de Escarandi-Alto de Sotres in Picos de Europa
Spain, europe
11.5 km
1,308 m
moderate
Year-round
# Jito de Escarandi: A Wild Ride Through Spain's Mountain Magic
Ready for one seriously epic mountain pass? Let me introduce you to Jito de Escarandi (also called Alto de Sotres), a 1,308m (4,291ft) beauty sitting right on the border between Asturias and Cantabria in Spain's stunning Picos de Europa National Park.
This 11.5 km (7.14 mile) stretch, lovingly nicknamed the 'Carretera de las 3 villas' (3 Villages Road), runs west to east from Sotres to Tresviso, and honestly? It's got some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes you'll find in the entire Picos range. We're talking mountains, rolling hills, and lush meadows that'll make you forget to watch the road—though you definitely should.
## The Real Deal: What You're Getting Into
Starting from Sotres on the CA-1, expect a challenging 14.5 km slog with an average gradient of 7.5%. But here's where it gets spicy: the final push to the summit throws some seriously steep sections at you. We're talking 10.8% average grades, with a brutal 2 km stretch that includes a 400m section hitting 21% at its worst, and another 500m stretch hovering around 15%. The asphalt quality is rough and gritty (hello, gravel sections and potholes), so watch your footing.
## Worth the Squeeze
Pro tip: this pass stays open year-round, though winter can mean brief closures. Once you reach the summit, prepare to be blown away. Those legendary fog-covered peaks surrounding you? Absolutely worth every meter of that brutal climb. The Vuelta a España featured this beast as a stage finish in 2015—that's how legendary this road is.
Where is it?
A sensational road to Jito de Escarandi-Alto de Sotres in Picos de Europa is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 40.1006, -4.0754
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,308 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 40.1006, -4.0754
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