Cruz de Hierro (Molinaseca)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Molinaseca	1,510m	915m	19.8 km	4.6%	731	****

Climb Description

Cruz de Hierro (Iron Cross) is best known as the highest point of the Camino de Santiago - the great pilgrimage route across northern Spain. You can find out more about the history and symbolism in our article about the Cruz de Hierro.

The climb from Molinaseca runs the opposite way from the Camino, but it is the more challenging and rewarding ascent from a cycling viewpoint. The highlight is the view that you get across to the Montés de León mountain range.

Cruz de Hierro is nearly always open from April to November, and often much longer than that. During the winter, closures are common following heavy snow.

Roads & Traffic

The road is in reasonable condition. It is fully paved and is fine for a road bike, but it is a bit rough in places.

There is little traffic on the climb throughout the year.

Alternative Routes

Cruz de Hierro can also be climbed from the east, starting from Santa Colomba. This is the classic ascent of the Camino de Santiago.

Nearby Climbs

Llano de las Ovejas

Piedrafita

Puerto de Lumeras

Cycling Holidays

Cruz de Hierro is climbed (from Santa Colomba) on our Camino de Santiago cycling holiday.

Find out more in the links below about this and other holidays that we run in north-west Spain.