The climb from Espinilla to the Collado de la Fuente del Chivo is exactly the right thing for cyclists perferring long (20.9 km) climbs with a moderately steep gradient (largely 6 or 7%) on a wide road with few bends through rounded, sparsely forested mountains and in the last few kilometers plenty of views of a ski area. The profile of the climb is a bit boring but the last 2 kilometers form an exception. Here the road is twisting and cycling harder due to an average gradient of 8.9% and additionally a lot of variation around this average. The steepest section of 250 meters has a gradient of 14%. From the pass we had a view to the east where the Embalse (reservoir) del Ebro catched the eye. Thanks to the low clouds, we didn't see much in other directions but in clear conditions the view to the west on the Picos d'Europa is said to be wonderful.