Alto de La Cabaña

Overview

Alto de La Cabaña is a category 1 climb that packs a serious punch into a relatively compact distance. Over 10.5 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 1487 m to a summit at 2262 m, a net elevation gain of 775 m and a total ascent of 718 m once the small dips along the way are added back in. The headline number is the 7.39% average gradient, but averages hide the real story here: with a max gradient of 23.81%, this is a climb that alternates steady effort with moments that force you out of the saddle whether you planned to stand or not.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 7.39% average across 10.5 km, La Cabaña sits firmly in the range where nothing comes for free. Sustained 7% climbing is already enough to shell riders who start too hard, and the spread between that average and the 23.81% max tells you the road is far from uniform. Expect long stretches that hover near or just above the average, punctuated by short, brutally steep ramps. Those spikes toward 23.81% are where the climb is won or lost — they are too short to pace like a time trial but too steep to muscle through carelessly. The net gain of 775 m against a total ascent of 718 m confirms the road climbs almost relentlessly, giving you very little flat to recover on before the next pitch.

Pacing Notes

The smart approach is to ride the average and protect yourself for the ramps. Anchor your effort to your FTP: on the steady 7% sections, target a wattage you can hold for the full 10.5 km, then accept short surges above threshold on the 23.81% pitches rather than blowing up trying to hold cadence. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pacing plan. Starting from 1487 m, altitude will nibble at your top-end power, so err toward conservative early and save matches for the summit approach at 2262 m.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. With a 7.39% average and ramps to 23.81%, a compact crankset paired with a wide cassette is the difference between spinning and grinding. A 34×32 is the sensible minimum for strong climbers who can sustain torque, but most riders will be far happier with a 34×34, which keeps cadence alive on the steepest pitches and preserves your legs across the full 10.5 km. When the road tips toward 23.81%, that extra sprocket is what lets you keep the pedals turning instead of stalling.

Summary

Alto de La Cabaña rewards patience and honest gearing. Ride the 7.39% average, respect the 23.81% ramps, and let a low gear carry you from 1487 m to 2262 m without detonating.

Length: 10.5 km
Average gradient: 7.39%
Max gradient: 23.81%
Start: 1487 m
Summit: 2262 m
Net gain: 775 m
Total ascent: 718 m
Category: 1