Alto de la Granadilla

Overview

Alto de la Granadilla is a compact category 4 climb that packs a real punch into a short distance. Over just 2 km the road lifts you from 428 m to 566 m, a net gain of 138 m at an average gradient of 6.76%. That average alone marks it as a firm, sustained effort, but the 9.92% maximum tells you the road is not perfectly even — there are ramps here that will make you sit up and pay attention. It is the kind of climb you can attack from bottom to top if you judge the effort right, and one that punishes an over-eager start.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape of this climb is defined by its brevity and its bite. With an average of 6.76% and a peak of 9.92%, the difference between the mean and the steepest pitch is a little over 3 percentage points — meaning the hardest ramps are noticeably steeper than the road's overall character, but not brutally so. Expect the gradient to hover around and above that 6.76% baseline for much of the 2 km, with the steepest section demanding a firm surge before the grade relents toward the 566 m summit. Because the total climbing distance is so short, there is nowhere to truly recover: every metre counts toward the 138 m of net elevation you need to gain.

Pacing Notes

Short climbs like this reward a controlled but committed effort. Because you are only climbing for 2 km, you can afford to ride closer to threshold than you would on a longer ascent — but the 9.92% max means holding a steady power over a variable gradient is the real skill. Ride the ramps a touch harder and ease very slightly where the road flattens toward the top. Anchor your effort to your FTP: aim to sit just at or slightly above it for the duration, knowing the summit at 566 m arrives quickly. If you are not sure where your threshold sits, the FTP estimator will give you a working number to pace against before you commit to the steep sections.

Gearing

For a 2 km climb averaging 6.76% with pitches touching 9.92%, most riders will be comfortable with a compact setup. A 34×32 gives you enough range to spin the steeper ramps without grinding, and it is a sensible default for a climb of this length and category. If you prefer to keep your cadence high on the 9.92% sections, or you are carrying fatigue from a longer day, a 34×34 buys you extra insurance and lets you stay seated and smooth all the way to 566 m. Neither choice is wrong here — pick the one that keeps your legs turning over cleanly on the hardest metres.

Summary

Alto de la Granadilla is a sharp, honest category 4 test: short enough to attack, steep enough to respect. Get your pacing right off the 428 m base and the 138 m of climbing to the 566 m summit passes quickly.

Length: 2 km
Average gradient: 6.76%
Max gradient: 9.92%
Start: 428 m
Summit: 566 m
Net gain: 138 m
Total ascent: 108 m
Category: 4