Alto de Acocá

Overview

Alto de Acocá is a category 1 climb that asks a real question of your legs. Over 12.3 km it averages 6.89%, lifting you from a start elevation of 587 m to a summit at 1433 m. That is a net elevation gain of 846 m, with the recorded total ascent sitting at 810 m — a sign that the road climbs almost relentlessly, with little in the way of downhill relief to break the rhythm. At category 1, it sits one rung below the hardest hors catégorie ascents, and it earns that billing through sustained steepness rather than a single brutal wall.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is the 6.89% average, but averages hide the story. With a max gradient of 10.53%, Acocá layers steeper pitches on top of an already demanding baseline. Expect long stretches that hover around and above the average, punctuated by ramps that push toward that double-digit maximum. The gap between the 6.89% average and the 10.53% max — roughly 3.64 percentage points — is where the climb bites: those steeper sections arrive on top of legs that are already working near threshold. Because the total ascent of 810 m accumulates over the full 12.3 km with almost no respite, there is nowhere to truly recover. This is a climb of pacing and patience, not one where you can burn matches early and coast home.

Pacing Notes

The smartest way to ride Acocá is to anchor your effort to FTP. A climb this long — 12.3 km at 6.89% — is decided in the first two-thirds, where riders who start too hard pay for it on the ramps toward the 10.53% max. Aim to hold a steady, sustainable power just under threshold on the average pitches, and accept that the steeper ramps will spike you above it briefly; the goal is to keep the average controlled rather than chase every gradient change. If you are not sure what number to ride to, run yours through the FTP estimator and set a ceiling before you reach the base at 587 m. With 846 m of vertical to gain, discipline in the opening kilometres buys you the legs to survive the top.

Gearing

For a 12.3 km climb averaging 6.89% with pitches to 10.53%, prioritise range over pride. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is a sensible baseline for strong climbers, giving you a spinnable ratio on the average slopes. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at altitude toward the 1433 m summit, or simply want to protect your cadence on the steepest ramps, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket makes the difference between grinding and spinning when the road tilts toward its maximum, and over 810 m of total ascent your knees will thank you.

Summary

Alto de Acocá is a sustained, honest category 1 climb: long enough to reward pacing, steep enough to punish overconfidence. Ride it to your numbers, gear generously, and let the 846 m of gain come to you.

Length: 12.3 km
Average gradient: 6.89%
Max gradient: 10.53%
Start: 587 m
Summit: 1433 m
Net gain: 846 m
Total ascent: 810 m
Category: 1