Following a predominantly flat opening the route begins to climb at shallow gradients after 46 kilometres. The riders descent into Arenas de San Pedro before entering the Alto de la Centenera. The climb totals 15.1 kilometres and averages 5.5%. The last 4 kilometres are harder – 8% on average and peaking out at 11%.
The riders descend into Mombeltran, only to start climbing again on the first slopes of the Puerto de Pedro Bernardo. It’s a 9 kilometres ascent with an average gradient of 4.2%.
The penultimate climb appears after almost 140 kilometres. The Puerto Mijares adds up to 20.4 kilometres, while the average slope sits at 5.4%.
A downhill of 25 kilometres takes the riders to the foot of the last climb. The Puerto San Juan de Nava is 8.6 kilometres long and averages 3.8%. The ensuing descent into El Barraco is 5.4 kilometres long.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds. Furthermore, 3, 2 and 1 seconds are available at the top of the Puerto San Juan de Nava.
Another interesting read: results 15th stage 2021 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2021 stage 15: route, profiles, more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Favourites stage 15: Attackers in long race for climbers - Vuelta 20 The Route - Vuelta 20 Riders - Vuelta 20 Withdrawals - Vuelta 20 Route and stages - Vuelta 20 GC Favourites - Vuelta 20 More articles Tour de France 2025 Route stage 11: Toulouse - Toulouse
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 11: For fast finishers #5
Tour de France 2025: The Route
Tour de France 2025: Riders
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 12: Auch - Hautacam
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 12: First high-mountain finish
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 13: Loudenvielle - Peyragudes
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 13: ITT into thin air
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 14: Pau - Superbagnères
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 14: GC Showdown in the Pyreneees
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 15: Muret - Carcassonne
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 15: For fast finishers #6
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 16: Montpellier - Mont Ventoux
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 16: Dominating Ventoux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 17: Bollène - Valence
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 17: For fast finishers #7
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 18: Vif - Col de la Loze
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 18: Demolition work at high altitude
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 19: Albertville - La Plagne
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 19: Elite climbers face off
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 20: Nantua - Pontarlier
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 20: Breakaway day
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 21: Mantes-la-Ville - Paris
Tour de France 2025 Favourites stage 21: Heroes on the Champs-Élysées
Tour de France Femmes 2025: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2025: Riders
Cycling Calendar 2025
Vuelta 2025: The Route
Vuelta 2025: Riders
Tour de France 2025: Withdrawals