With ten summit finishes — eight of them rated category one or above — the Vuelta a España 2025 heavily favours the pure climbers of the peloton. The last Grand Tour of the year often seeks out summit finishes to shape the general classification and the fight for the red jersey. The 2025 Vuelta route is visiting some classic climbs from the race’s history like the Alto de l’Angliru and the Puerto de Navacerrada. Rouleur has a look at the key climbs which will shape the outcome of the race.
Pal Andorra - stage six
After a few stages in Italy and France, which despite featuring some Alpine tests don’t include a significant mountain-top finish, the Vuelta visits its fourth country with a 9.6km at 6.3% test in Andorra. The Pal Sector at the Pal Arinsal Ski Resort marks a return — La Vuelta hasn’t finished here in 15 years. Though the race visited the area in 2023, that summit finale came further up the road, at the Arinsal Sector, where Remco Evenepoel took a memorable win. The climb is less brutal than some of the finishes later in the race but as it comes early in the race, with GC contenders still on edge with fresh legs, Pal Andorra may offer the first real glimpse of who’s here to win — and who’s already on the defensive.
Stage profile from the La Vuelta website
Cerler - stage seven
The day after the Pal climb, comes another Pyrenean test in the Cerler on stage seven. Its 5.8% average over 12.1 km is deceptive as there is a downhill section within the climb. In reality it peaks above 10% and will provide another early chance for a GC shake up.
Stage profile from the La Vuelta website
Alto de l’Angliru - stage 13
The Angliru is one of the hardest climbs in the world. The Asturian behemoth is a 12.4‑km ascent averaging 9.8 %, with several ramps pushing past 20% and that infamous Cueña Les Cabres at 24%. After a number of challenging days in La Rioja, the Basque Country and Cantabria and 12 stages into the race, the Angliru is the kind of savage test that shreds GC hopes — one punch, and the race favourites could already be racing for second place. Even before arriving at the foot of the Angliru, the riders will have to take on a pair of category one climbs, and at 202km stage 13 is the longest stage of the race.
Stage profile from the La Vuelta website
Alto de la Farrapona - stage 14
Stage 14 is another Asturian classic. La Farrapona may not have the same aura of the Angliru, but its 16.5 km of relentless climbing — often over 7% — is no recovery ride. This is a stage designed to catch out those still carrying Angliru’s sting in their legs. Set in the relentlessly challenging mountains of Asturias, this climb provides another opportunity to shake up the GC. The rhythm here is crucial: get your pacing wrong, and the time gaps could be blown open.
Stage profile from the La Vuelta website
El Morredero - stage 17
The road to El Morredero is long and quietly punishing. Over 20km of climbing, with gradients that fluctuate rather than soar — a psychological grinder rather than an outright brute. At this late point in the race, in the third week, every extra pedal stroke takes a mental toll. The climb is 8.8km at 9.7% — it’s attritional and gruelling. Those without a well-managed energy bank may find themselves paying for earlier efforts.
Stage profile from the La Vuelta website
Bola del Mundo - stage 20
If Angliru is the Vuelta’s executioner, Bola del Mundo is its final trial — a last, cruel twist in the tale. The Puerto de Navacerrada is frequently used in the Vuelta. The race has gone over its summit on 34 occasions and will do so two more times in 2025, but the last time it will climb up on the Madrid side and continue to the Bola del Mundo for the third time in the race’s history. The summit closes the final mountain stage of the race, and with it, offers one final chance for redemption or destruction. 13.1km at 8.1%, but with the final 3km averaging well over 12% on rough, concrete surface. It's brutal, high, and elemental. Situated at over 2,200 metres, the air is thin. This is where last-gasp glory will be taken — or where dreams could vanish into the Madrid skyline.
