Vuelta 2026 Route stage 12: Vera - Calar Alto

Thursday 3 September - Stage 12 of the Vuelta a España covers 166.6 kilometres from Vera to the Calar Alto Observatory. The decisive action is expected in the final 44 kilometres, where the riders first climb the Alto de Velefique - 13.1 kilometres at 7.2% - before taking on the ascent to the line: 16.9 kilometres at 5.6%. The elevation gain sums up to 4,568 metres.

Last updated: 3 September 2026 – link to the results added

Race type: mountain stage
Likely winner: climbers, GC riders
Weather conditions: sunny and calm

The riders can warm up their legs straight from the start, on the Alto del Cabecico. Following that 8.3-kilometre climb at 3.3%, the route continues over rolling terrain to the Collado García. It's an 18.5-kilometre climb averaging 2.4%, which the riders reach roughly halfway through the race.

A long descent and a false flat then usher the peloton towards the decisive part of the stage. After passing through the former mining town of Velefique, the riders tackle a climb of 13.1 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.2%. It opens with double-digit gradients before easing after 5 kilometres. From there, the road climbs at gradients hovering between 6 7% towards the final kilometre, which eases to 5.2%.

The stage finishes with the ascent to the largest telescope on the European mainland, the Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory. The climb is 16.9 kilometres long and features several steep ramps early on, with double digit over the first 3 kilometres. The climbing remains demanding until kilometre 6, after which the ascent becomes much more irregular, alternating between false flats, short descents and uphill stretches. Overall, the climb to the line averages 5.6%.

In short, stage 12 revolves around two climbs: the Alto de Velefique and the ascent to Calar Alto. The Vuelta followed the same script in 2017, when Miguel Ángel López reached the observatory 14 seconds ahead of a group containing Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali and Wilco Kelderman. Five editions ago, the finish line was on the Velefique, where Damiano Caruso crowned a long solo break with victory.

At the summit of Calar Alto, the winner will not only succeed 'Superman' López, but also Roberto Heras (2004) and Igor Antón (2006).

Fancy riding the route yourself? Download GPX 12th stage.

Another interesting read: results 12th stage 2026 Vuelta a España.