Alto de la torre

Overview

Alto de la torre is a Category 1 climb that packs serious punishment into a compact 8.7 km. From a start elevation of 1378 m it grinds upward to a summit of 2034 m, a net elevation gain of 656 m, with a total ascent of 619 m once you account for the small dips along the way. The average gradient of 7.53% already marks this as a hard day out, but the headline number is the 31.33% maximum pitch — a wall steep enough to force even strong climbers out of the saddle. This is a climb that rewards patience early and punishes anyone who spends their matches before the gradient truly bites.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Read the profile as a whole and the shape is clear: 656 m of net height crammed into 8.7 km never lets the road go truly flat. A 7.53% average across that distance means the default state of this climb is steep, and the gap between that average and the 31.33% maximum tells you the pitch is uneven. Expect stretches that sit comfortably under the average, then abrupt ramps that spike far above it. The difference between the 619 m total ascent and the 656 m net gain is small, so there is very little descending or false-flat recovery — almost every metre you climb, you keep. Treat the shallow sections as your only chance to breathe before the next ramp.

Pacing Notes

The smartest way to survive Alto de la torre is to anchor your effort to your FTP rather than to how you feel in the opening kilometre. On a climb this uneven, riders who chase the steep ramps at threshold blow apart before the summit. Aim to sit just below your sustainable power on the average-gradient sections and accept that the 31.33% pitches will briefly send you over — that is unavoidable, so keep those surges as short and controlled as you can. If you are unsure of your numbers, run them through the FTP estimator before you ride, then hold that ceiling honestly across all 8.7 km. Consistent, slightly conservative pacing will beat a heroic early effort every time here.

Gearing

With a 7.53% average and ramps hitting 31.33%, gearing is not a place to be brave. A compact chainring is essential, and your cassette choice decides whether you spin or grind. For most riders a 34×32 is the sensible minimum, giving you a low enough ratio to keep cadence up on the sustained steep sections. If you know you fade over 656 m of climbing, or you simply prefer to protect your knees on the wall-like pitches, step up to a 34×34 — the extra range buys you a survivable cadence when the road tilts toward 31.33%. There is no shame in the easier gear; finishing turning is faster than finishing walking.

Summary

Alto de la torre is a short but savage Category 1 climb: 8.7 km of near-constant gradient, a punishing average, and a maximum pitch that demands respect and low gears. Pace it to your FTP, gear it generously, and let the numbers — not your ego — set the tempo.

Length: 8.7 km
Average gradient: 7.53%
Max gradient: 31.33%
Start: 1378 m
Summit: 2034 m
Net gain: 656 m
Total ascent: 619 m
Category: 1