Alto de Chamuscados

Overview

The Alto de Chamuscados is a long, deceptive category 2 climb that rewards patience and punishes anyone who reads only the average. Across its 19.2 km it gains 737 m of net elevation, starting at 813 m and topping out at 1550 m. On paper the 3.84% average gradient looks almost gentle — the kind of number you might expect to spin over comfortably. But the climb hides a vicious streak: at its steepest it ramps to 26.16%, and the total ascent of 864 m (against 737 m net) tells you the road rolls, dips, and claws back elevation more than once along the way.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 737 m net gain and the 864 m total ascent is the whole story of this climb. That extra 127 m of climbing comes from undulations — sections where the road briefly drops before rearing up again. A steady 3.84% for 19.2 km would be metronomic, but Chamuscados is anything but. The shallow average is diluted by flatter and even descending stretches, which means the climbing portions must be considerably steeper than 3.84% to balance the books. The 26.16% max gradient is the sharpest of these spikes — a wall that, however short, will spike your heart rate and shatter any rhythm you thought you had. Expect a climb of contrasts: long draggy passages where you settle in, broken by sudden, brutal ramps.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. The average is only 3.84%, so if you burn matches on every ramp you will arrive at the 1550 m summit empty. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold something in reserve for the pitches climbing toward 26.16%. If you don't know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. Ride the flatter sections at a controlled tempo rather than surging, and treat each steep ramp as a short over-threshold surge you deliberately recover from. Over 19.2 km, consistency will carry you further than any heroic acceleration.

Gearing

The combination of 19.2 km of climbing and a 26.16% max gradient makes gearing a genuine decision, not an afterthought. A compact 34-tooth chainring is the starting point. Pair it with at least a 34×32, which gives you a low enough ratio to keep the pedals turning through the draggy middle sections. But because the road spikes to 26.16%, most riders will be far happier with a 34×34 in reserve — that extra sprocket is exactly what saves your knees and your composure when the gradient stands up in front of you. If your legs run toward the fresher end, 34×32 is workable, but for the majority, 34×34 is the smart insurance on a climb with this much length and these steep spikes.

Summary

Alto de Chamuscados is a long, undulating category 2 climb whose gentle 3.84% average masks ramps up to 26.16%. Respect the distance, pace to your threshold, gear low, and the 1550 m summit is yours.

Length: 19.2 km
Average gradient: 3.84%
Max gradient: 26.16%
Start: 813 m
Summit: 1550 m
Net gain: 737 m
Total ascent: 864 m
Category: 2