Alto de Chinchicuá

Overview

Alto de Chinchicuá is a category 1 climb that packs a genuine punch into 9.4 km. From a start elevation of 1359 m, it grinds relentlessly upward to a summit at 2193 m — a net elevation gain of 834 m, with 808 m of total ascent recorded along the way. At an average gradient of 8.91%, there is almost nowhere to hide, and the max gradient of 39.41% marks a wall so steep it demands respect long before you reach it. This is a climb defined by its unbroken steepness rather than its length: every kilometre asks a question, and the answers add up fast.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency of pain. An 8.91% average across 9.4 km means the climb rarely relents — there are no long false flats to spin out the legs and no descents to reset your heart rate. The gap between the 8.91% average and the 39.41% max tells the real story: somewhere on this ascent lies a ramp far beyond anything sustainable, likely a short pitch that spikes violently before easing back toward the average. Expect to be climbing in earnest from the very first metres above 1359 m, with the road tilting hardest in isolated bursts rather than one continuous crescendo. The 834 m of net gain arrives steadily, kilometre after kilometre, so the challenge is as much mental as physical.

Pacing Notes

Pace this climb off your FTP, not your ego. With an 8.91% average, going out too hard in the opening kilometres will leave nothing for the steep ramps that punctuate the middle. Aim to sit just under threshold on the sustained sections and accept that the 39.41% pitch will briefly force you above it — that is unavoidable, so recover immediately afterward rather than chasing the effort. If you do not know your threshold power, run the numbers first with the FTP estimator so you can set realistic targets. The smartest riders here treat the whole 9.4 km as a single sustained effort and hold something in reserve for the steepest metres, because losing rhythm on a climb this relentless is far costlier than starting a touch conservatively.

Gearing

Gear for survival, not for pride. With an average of 8.91% and spikes toward 39.41%, this is not a climb to muscle in a big gear. A compact crankset paired with a wide-range cassette is the minimum sensible setup — a 34×32 will get most fit riders up the sustained sections, but given the max gradient you will be grateful for the extra relief of a 34×34 when the road rears up. If your bike accepts an even larger cog, take it; spinning a low cadence preserves the legs across all 9.4 km far better than grinding does. On a climb with 834 m of net gain and pitches this steep, the right gearing is the difference between riding and walking.

Summary

Alto de Chinchicuá rewards patience, honest pacing, and low gearing. Its 8.91% average over 9.4 km, punctuated by a brutal 39.41% max, makes it a category 1 test that punishes over-eagerness and repays a steady, threshold-aware effort from bottom to top.

Length: 9.4 km
Average gradient: 8.91%
Max gradient: 39.41%
Start: 1359 m
Summit: 2193 m
Net gain: 834 m
Total ascent: 808 m
Category: 1