20.1
PDI
7 mi
DISTANCE
2,910 ft
GAINED
8 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Puerto San Lorenzo from La Plaza is the eastern, Teverga side of one of Asturias' hardest passes: 11.2 km (6.9 mi) and 887 m (2,910 ft) of gain at an 8.0% average, from 457 m (1,499 ft) to 1,344 m (4,409 ft). The Somiedo side from La Riera is shorter and steeper from the first kilometer - see our Puerto San Lorenzo page for that approach - while the Teverga side eases you in: the first 5 km (3.1 mi) average only about 5%, and the real work comes afterward.
The last 5 km (3.1 mi) average 11.0% with almost no relief, and the steepest 91 m (100 yd) reaches 13.7%. At the top, a roadside sign marks the pass at 1,347 m (4,419 ft) and the Camín Real de la Mesa, the historic route that crosses here.
The Vuelta a España used this side in 2020, when stage 11 took San Lorenzo as the fourth of five climbs, between La Cobertoria and the summit finish at La Farrapona. The race listed it at 10 km and 8.6%, with the intermediate sprint at its foot, and David Gaudu won at the finish.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Puerto San Lorenzo from La Plaza climbs 887 m (2,910 ft) over 11.2 km (6.9 mi) for an 8.0% average, with no net descent. The grade builds in three steps: roughly 3-4% for the first 2 km (1.2 mi), 6-7% through km 3-6, then a steady 10-12% from km 7 to the pass.
The steepest 0.5 km (0.3 mi) averages 12.6%, the steepest kilometer (0.6 mi) 12.1%, and the steepest 2 km (1.2 mi) 11.5%. The steepest 5 km (3.1 mi) average 11.0% and the steepest 10 km (6.2 mi) 8.5%. The steepest 91 m (100 yd) reaches 13.7%.
Because the hardest 5 km all come at the end, hold something back on the lower slopes. Once the road tips past 10% there is no flat section to recover on.
Roadway: The road is paved the whole way. It starts on the AS-228 valley road in La Plaza, then follows the local road through Quintanal and Villanueva up to the pass, where the surface is regular asphalt with guardrail. At this height the pass can see fog and snow outside the summer months, so check conditions in spring and autumn.
Traffic: The AS-228 through La Plaza is the valley's main road, so the first minutes are the busiest. Once you turn onto the road through Quintanal and Villanueva, expect local traffic and the occasional visitor heading for the pass.
Parking: La Plaza (San Martín de Teverga) is the valley's main village, so park there and ride out along the AS-228; the start sits right at the edge of town.
Fill up in La Plaza before you start: the climb passes only small villages on its way to the pass.
The last 5 km (3.1 mi) average 11.0%, so go lower than a standard double: a 34-tooth chainring with a 32-34 tooth cassette makes the final third far more manageable. Asturian mountain weather turns fast, so carry a rain jacket and a warm layer for the pass and the long descent.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Teverga is a quiet municipality inside the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park, and it is worth a rest day. The Parque de la Prehistoria in San Salvador de Alesga presents a major collection of cave art, the Colegiata de San Pedro (built around 1069-1076) is a National Monument, and nearby natural sights include the Peña Sobia limestone massif, the Hayedo de Montegrande beech forest, the Estrechura gorge and the circular stone teitos of the Braña del Rebellón.
For food, look for pote, local game, trout, wild mushrooms and queso de masera; lodging is mostly rural houses and small family-run places, and an autumn gastronomic festival runs each year. To get here from Oviedo, take the A-63 toward Grado, then the AS-228 through Trubia and Proaza to La Plaza.
The Somiedo side of the pass, in bear country, starts at La Riera - see our Puerto San Lorenzo page - and the brutal Ermita del Alba climb above Bárzana is one valley over in Quirós. To see other climbs around Teverga, or to build a custom route from here, use our Routes in the Area tool.
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