Eclipse August 12, 2026 · Burgos / La Rioja, Spain · Ranked
The 5 best terrain-verified spots to watch the 2026 eclipse in Sierra de la Demanda
2 of 5 checked viewpoints have a verified-clear terrain view of the low eclipsed sun. Ranked by ray-cast clearance, totality duration and 20-year clear-sky odds.
Every viewpoint below was checked with Heliora’s terrain engine: a 360° ray-cast of real elevation data from its exact coordinate, compared against the sun’s position through the eclipse. The ranking puts verified-clear spots first (by clearance margin), then totality duration and historical clear-sky odds.
Each verdict comes from ray-casting 360° from the exact coordinate over Mapbox Terrain-RGB elevation data (30 km range) — the same engine as Heliora’s live 3D sky view. Clearance margins under ~1° are flagged marginal: elevation pixels are ~75 m wide and can miss sharp ridge lines, and trees and buildings are not included. Clear-sky odds are 20-year ERA5 climatology (2005–2024, ±3 days around Aug 12, cloud cover ≤20% at the local peak hour) — historical odds, not a forecast.
The ranking
Pradoluengo Clear view
42.326°N, -3.205°W
The eclipsed sun clears the terrain by 4.2° at the critical moment (maximum eclipse 20:29 CEST). Terrain hides the sun at 20:53 CEST, before the partial phase ends at 21:21. Historical clear-sky odds at peak hour: 47% (20 years of ERA5 data).
See it in 3D at this exact spot →Ezcaray Clear view
42.325°N, -3.009°W
The eclipsed sun clears the terrain by 3.4° at the critical moment (maximum eclipse 20:29 CEST). Terrain hides the sun at 20:49 CEST, before the partial phase ends at 21:21. Historical clear-sky odds at peak hour: 41% (20 years of ERA5 data).
See it in 3D at this exact spot →San Millán de la Cogolla Blocked by terrain
42.326°N, -2.865°W
The terrain rises 6.4° above the sun — the eclipse is hidden behind the ridge from this spot. Terrain hides the sun at 19:59 CEST, before the partial phase ends at 21:21. Historical clear-sky odds at peak hour: 38% (20 years of ERA5 data).
See it in 3D at this exact spot →Anguiano Blocked by terrain
42.258°N, -2.770°W
The terrain rises 9.2° above the sun — the eclipse is hidden behind the ridge from this spot. Terrain hides the sun at 19:51 CEST, before the partial phase ends at 21:21. Historical clear-sky odds at peak hour: 38% (20 years of ERA5 data).
See it in 3D at this exact spot →Valdezcaray Blocked by terrain
42.240°N, -2.970°W
The terrain rises 13.9° above the sun — the eclipse is hidden behind the ridge from this spot. Terrain hides the sun at 19:33 CEST, before the partial phase ends at 21:21. Historical clear-sky odds at peak hour: 41% (20 years of ERA5 data).
See it in 3D at this exact spot →Drop a pin anywhere — Heliora computes the terrain horizon from that exact point and shows whether the eclipsed sun clears it.