Alto de la Ventana

Overview

Alto de la Ventana is a Category 1 climb that asks a real question of your legs: 13 km at an average of 6.32%, lifting you from a start elevation of 593 m to a summit at 1416 m. That is a net elevation gain of 823 m, with 871 m of total ascent once you account for the small dips and recoveries along the way. On paper the average looks steady, almost civilized. The 32.05% maximum gradient tells a different story. This is a climb with a temper, and the sooner you respect it, the better your day goes.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 6.32% average and the 32.05% maximum is the whole personality of this climb. An average alone would suggest an even, metronomic effort, but a wall of 32.05% cannot be smoothed into that number without something giving elsewhere. Expect the gradient to swing hard: stretches that sit near or below the mean, punctuated by ramps that spike far above it. The 48 m difference between total ascent (871 m) and net gain (823 m) confirms the road is not purely one-directional, so brief flatter or descending sections briefly reset the burn before the next kick. Over 13 km, that pattern rewards riders who read the road ahead rather than chase a fixed speed.

Pacing Notes

Anchor your effort to sustainable power rather than to the changing slope. Ride the shallower sections just under your FTP so you bank composure for the steep ramps, where power will naturally surge as the road tilts toward that 32.05% wall. If you do not yet know your threshold, our FTP estimator will give you a working figure to plan around. The trap on a 13 km climb like this is spending too much early. With 823 m still to gain from 593 m to 1416 m, the summit is a long way off. Keep something in reserve for the ramps, breathe through them, and let the flatter pitches be genuine recovery rather than an excuse to push.

Gearing

The 6.32% average is manageable with standard gearing, but the 32.05% maximum is not something you muscle through on a road cassette without paying for it. Go easier than you think you need. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 32-tooth sprocket (34×32) is the sensible floor for most riders here, and if you have the option, a 34×34 gives you the extra bailout gear that turns the steepest ramps from a grinding survival effort into something you can actually spin. Over 13 km with 871 m of total ascent, protecting your cadence protects your legs.

Summary

Alto de la Ventana is a Category 1 climb that hides its bite behind a reasonable average. Pace it to your threshold, gear low for the 32.05% wall, and treat the flatter sections as the gifts they are. Cover it well and the 1416 m summit is a genuine reward.

Length: 13 km
Average gradient: 6.32%
Max gradient: 32.05%
Start: 593 m
Summit: 1416 m
Net gain: 823 m
Total ascent: 871 m
Category: 1