Alto de Bombon

Overview

Alto de Bombon is a long, steady category 2 ascent that rewards patience over punch. Over 16.9 km it climbs from 1126 m at the base to a summit of 1919 m, a net gain of 793 m at an average of 4.68%. That average tells you almost everything: this is a climb of rhythm, not of walls. With a maximum gradient of only 6.69%, nothing here is designed to snap you off the back in a single moment. Instead, the difficulty accumulates quietly over more than sixteen kilometres of sustained effort at high altitude, where the thin air near 1919 m does more damage than any single ramp.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining number is the gap between the 4.68% average and the 6.69% maximum. That spread of roughly two percentage points is narrow, which means the road never drifts far from its overall pitch. There are no savage double-digit pinches and no long false flats to coast through — the climb holds a remarkably consistent tension from bottom to top. When the gradient does lift toward its 6.69% ceiling, it does so gently, in stretches rather than spikes. Note too that the total ascent of 777 m sits just under the 793 m net gain, telling you the profile runs almost entirely uphill with negligible respite or descent along the way. This is a diesel climb: one gear, one cadence, sustained.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient is so even, Alto de Bombon is best ridden as a single measured effort rather than a series of attacks. Anchor your pace to your FTP and hold a wattage you can sustain for the full 16.9 km — the biggest mistake here is starting too hard on the shallow lower slopes and paying for it in the thinning air up high. If you are unsure of your sustainable power, run the numbers first with the FTP estimator. Aim to finish the climb feeling like you had a little left, because the altitude gain of 793 m means the final kilometres feel harder than the gradient alone suggests. Ride the average, not the maximum.

Gearing

For a climb this long and steady, comfortable gearing beats heroic gearing. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette lets you spin the 4.68% average without grinding. A 34×32 setup will serve most fit riders well across the full 16.9 km, keeping your cadence high and your legs fresh for the summit. If you tire on long climbs, run less altitude-adapted, or simply prefer to spin, size up to a 34×34 for extra insurance on the sustained middle section. Either ratio comfortably covers the modest 6.69% maximum with room to keep turning smoothly.

Summary

Alto de Bombon is a long, honest category 2 climb: consistent, high-altitude, and best conquered with a steady head and a smooth cadence. Ride the average, respect the thin air, and let the kilometres tick by.

Length: 16.9 km
Average gradient: 4.68%
Max gradient: 6.69%
Start: 1126 m
Summit: 1919 m
Net gain: 793 m
Total ascent: 777 m
Category: 2