Alto de la Palmilla

Overview

Alto de la Palmilla is a 6.2 km category 3 climb that trades brutality for rhythm. It begins low, at just 61 m above sea level, and tops out at 326 m for a net gain of 265 m. The 4.27% average gradient places it firmly in the "big-ring on a good day" bracket, yet the 13% maximum tells you the road does not stay polite the whole way up. This is a climb defined by its shape more than its severity: long enough to matter, steep enough in places to punish a lazy pace, but never so relentless that it becomes a survival exercise.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is 4.27%, but averages flatten the truth. Spread the 265 m of net gain across 6.2 km and you get a gentle-sounding incline; the reality is that a 13% pitch is lurking somewhere in that profile, and the surrounding kilometres must sit below the average to compensate. Expect the classic category 3 texture: stretches where you can hold momentum and roll, broken by one or two ramps that spike well into double figures. Note too that the total ascent of 248 m is slightly less than the 265 m net gain figure, a reminder that the road drifts in its own way and rewards riders who keep reading the gradient rather than staring at the summit.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this length, the winning strategy is discipline. The 4.27% average is entirely sustainable if you meter your effort, so resist the urge to attack the lower slopes. Keep your power just under threshold on the flatter sections and save a matchstick for the 13% ramp, where cadence collapses fastest.

Anchor your pacing to your FTP: aim to sit a touch below it on the steady gradient and allow a controlled surge over the steepest pitch, knowing the road eases again afterward. If you have not tested recently, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you ride so your targets reflect current fitness rather than last season's.

Gearing

For most riders a compact 34-tooth chainring is plenty here. Paired with a 34×32 low gear, you will spin comfortably across the 4.27% average and still have something in reserve for the 13% ramp. If you climb at a naturally low cadence, prefer a smooth pedal stroke on gradient, or simply want insurance for tired legs late in a ride, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket costs you nothing on the mellow sections and buys real relief on the steepest pitch, keeping your cadence high and your knees happy over the full 6.2 km.

Summary

Alto de la Palmilla is a satisfying, honest category 3 test: 6.2 km of steady gradient with one genuine kick to keep you focused. Pace it smart, gear it sensibly, and the 265 m of climbing will pass under your wheels far more pleasantly than the profile suggests.

Length: 6.2 km
Average gradient: 4.27%
Max gradient: 13%
Start: 61 m
Summit: 326 m
Net gain: 265 m
Total ascent: 248 m
Category: 3