Alto de Abejorros

Overview

Alto de Abejorros is one of those climbs that refuses to give you a moment's rest. Over 8.5 km it averages a brutal 12.79%, the kind of sustained pitch that turns a bike ride into an act of will. This is a hors catégorie (HC) effort — the top rung of the difficulty ladder, above category 1 — and the numbers explain why. You start at 1373 m and finish at 2460 m, a net gain of 1087 m, with the total ascent measured at 1070 m. There is no easing into it and no false summit to save you; it simply climbs, and climbs hard.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 12.79% average is already savage, but averages hide the teeth. The maximum gradient here bites at 32.56% — a wall steep enough that momentum evaporates and traction becomes a genuine concern. On a climb this consistent, the danger isn't a single ramp but the relentlessness: when the mean sits near 12.79%, the "easier" sections still hover in territory most riders consider a hard climb in its own right. Expect long stretches where the road tilts well into double digits, punctuated by those cruel pitches toward the max. Because the elevation change is so concentrated — 1087 m gained across just 8.5 km — every kilometre demands real vertical work, and there is nowhere to recover.

Pacing Notes

On a climb like Abejorros, pacing is survival. With an average of 12.79% and ramps to 32.56%, you cannot bury yourself early and expect to hang on for 8.5 km. Anchor your effort to your FTP: on the sustained sections aim to sit just at or slightly below threshold, and save your reserve for the steepest walls where power will spike no matter how disciplined you are. If you don't know your threshold, run the numbers first with the FTP estimator so you're pacing to data rather than ego. The altitude matters too — finishing at 2460 m means thinner air on the final ramps, so build in a margin. Ride the first few kilometres a touch conservative; you'll be grateful for it near the top.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this climb. At 12.79% average with pitches to 32.56%, a compact chainring paired with a wide cassette is the minimum sensible setup. A 34×32 is the floor here — usable, but it will leave you grinding at a low cadence on the steepest sections and cost you dearly over 8.5 km. If your frame and derailleur allow it, step up to a 34×34 (or wider) to protect your knees and keep some spin in your legs when the road hits its 32.56% max. The extra range is not indulgence on an HC climb; it's what lets you keep turning the pedals when quitting feels easier.

Summary

Alto de Abejorros is a genuine HC test: short at 8.5 km, but ferocious in every metre, averaging 12.79% and spiking to 32.56% as it lifts you from 1373 m to 2460 m. Gear low, pace to your threshold, and respect the wall.

Length: 8.5 km
Average gradient: 12.79%
Max gradient: 32.56%
Start: 1373 m
Summit: 2460 m
Net gain: 1087 m
Total ascent: 1070 m
Category: HC