Trujillo is a town boasting many medieval and renaissance buildings. In the 1500s a number of conquistadores were Trujillanos, who went to America and returned with their ships packed with gold, silver and potatoes.
The first 100 kilometres take place on undulating terrain and then the riders tackle the first climb towards Piornal. They don’t go to the finish place this first time, as they turn left near the Cascada de la Desesperá to descend towards the valley. The ascent is 3.7 kilometres long and averages 9.4%.
The second climb does lead into Piornal. First, the riders climb to the Yuste Monastery – 4.8 kilometres at 4.3% – and 8 kilometres later the actual climb to Piornal begins. On this side, the ascent is 13.5 kilometres while the average gradient sits at 5%.
The riders descend towards the River Jerte and after a flat section through the valley the finish climb kicks in. Although it’s located on the other side of the mountain, the distance and gradients are the same: 13.5 kilometres at 5%.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 18 Vuelta.
Another interesting read: results 18th stage 2022 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2022 stage 18: route, profile, more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Favourites stage 18: Last uphill finish - Vuelta 20 The Route - Vuelta 20 Riders - Vuelta 20 Route and stages - Vuelta 20 GC Favourites - Vuelta 20 More articles Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: Bjerg storms into yellow
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 4: Cours - Belmont-de-la-Loire
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 5: Cormoranche-sur-Saône – Salins-les-Bains
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: Riders
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: GC Favourites
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 6: Nantua - Crest-Voland
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 7: Porte-de-Savoie - Col de la Croix de Fer
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 8: Le Pont-de-Claix - La Bastille, Grenoble
Tour de Suisse 2023: The Route
Tour de Suisse 2023: Riders
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 1: Einsiedeln - Einsiedeln
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 2: Beromünster - Nottwil
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 3: Tafers - Villars-sur-Ollon
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 4: Monthey - Leukerbad
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 5: Fiesch - La Punt
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 6: La Punt - Oberwil-Lieli
Cycling Calendar 2023
Tour de France 2023: The Route
Tour de France 2023: Riders
Tour de France 2023: GC Favourites
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 1: Bilbao - Bilbao
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz - San Sebastián
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 3: Amorebieta-Etxano - Bayonne
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 4: Dax - Nogaro
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 5: Pau - Laruns
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 6: Tarbes - Cauterets
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 7: Mont-de-Marsan - Bordeaux
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 8: Libourne - Limoges
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 9: Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat - Puy de Dôme