Alto de las Águilas

Overview

Alto de las Águilas is a compact, high-altitude climb that packs a real punch into a short distance. Over just 2.2 km it averages 6.32%, which sounds moderate until you factor in where it happens: the road starts at 2493 m and tops out at 2631 m. That's a summit well into thin-air territory, and every watt costs a little more than it would at sea level.

The headline numbers are honest ones. A net elevation gain of 138 m across 2.2 km lines up almost exactly with the 6.32% average, and the total ascent of 123 m tells you the profile is close to monotonic — there's very little in the way of false flat or downhill respite to inflate the figures. What you climb, you keep. It carries a category 4 rating, the gentlest of the classified categories below 3, 2, 1, and HC, but the altitude and the steep maximum give it more bite than the label suggests.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining tension of this climb is the gap between its average and its maximum. At 6.32% average but 9.95% at the steepest, there's a spread of well over three percentage points to manage. That means the slope is not uniform: expect stretches that sit right around the average, punctuated by a pitch that reaches nearly 10%.

Because the total ascent of 123 m sits just under the 138 m net gain, the climb almost never gives elevation back. You are pointed uphill essentially the whole way. On a climb this short, the steep section near 9.95% is where the effort concentrates — get through that pitch and the remaining distance to 2631 m is comparatively forgiving.

Pacing Notes

At 2.2 km this is a climb you can ride hard, but the altitude changes the math. The same power that feels sustainable low down will feel heavier as you approach 2631 m, so start a notch more conservatively than the short length invites.

Anchor your effort to your FTP. On a climb this brief, most riders can hold at or slightly above FTP for the full 2.2 km — but the near-10% pitch is the moment to spend, not the whole climb. Ride the average-gradient sections steadily, then absorb the 9.95% ramp with a controlled surge rather than blowing apart on it.

If you're unsure of your number, run the FTP estimator first and set a target power you can actually hold to the top at altitude.

Gearing

For a 2.2 km climb averaging 6.32% with ramps to 9.95%, a compact setup keeps your cadence sensible. A 34×32 will cover the bulk of the climb comfortably, letting you spin the 6.32% stretches without grinding.

For the near-10% pitch — especially thin-air, where every effort spikes your heart rate faster — a 34×34 gives you the extra bailout gear to stay seated and turn the pedals rather than lurching into a low-cadence slog. If your legs are fresh, 34×32 is plenty; if you're saving matches for a longer day, 34×34 is the safer choice.

Summary

Alto de las Águilas is short, steep in patches, and thinner on oxygen than its length implies — a category 4 climb worth respecting for its 9.95% pitch and its 2631 m summit rather than dismissing for its 2.2 km distance.

Length: 2.2 km
Average gradient: 6.32%
Max gradient: 9.95%
Start: 2493 m
Summit: 2631 m
Net gain: 138 m
Total ascent: 123 m
Category: 4