Alto de las Crucitas

Overview

Alto de las Crucitas is a category 4 climb that stretches 7.1 km from a near sea-level base at 13 m to a summit of 276 m. Over that distance you gain 263 m of net elevation at an average gradient of 3.72%, with the total ascent registering 253 m once the small dips along the way are counted. It is the gentlest of the classified categories — 4 sits at the easy end of the scale that runs up through 1, 2, 3 to the fearsome HC — but "gentle" here means steady rather than trivial. The maximum pitch touches 7.18%, so there is enough bite to reward a rider who paces the effort well and to punish one who starts too hard.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of this climb is the gap between its average and its maximum. An average of 3.72% across 7.1 km is a grade most fit riders can hold in conversation, but the 7.18% peak is nearly double that. That tells you the climb is uneven: long stretches sit below the average to make room for the steeper ramps that push toward 7.18%. Expect the road to breathe — shallower drags where you can settle into a rhythm, punctuated by short kicks that ask for a gear change and a firmer press on the pedals. With 263 m of net gain but only 253 m of total ascent, the profile is almost entirely uphill; the 10 m difference means there is barely any downhill respite to coast through.

Pacing Notes

Because the average is moderate, the temptation is to ride Crucitas hard from the base. Resist it. The smarter approach is to hold a steady tempo near your FTP on the shallow sections and let the effort rise only when the gradient climbs toward 7.18%. That way you carry momentum into the steeper pitches instead of blowing up on them. If you do not know your threshold power, spend a few minutes with the FTP estimator before you plan the effort — it turns a vague "ride hard" into a number you can pace against. On a 7.1 km climb of this shape, negative-splitting the second half is realistic and satisfying.

Gearing

For most riders a compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is more than enough here. A 34×32 bottom gear gives comfortable spinning room on the 7.18% ramps while keeping you efficient on the 3.72% average stretches. If you climb at a lower cadence, prefer to stay seated, or plan to ride Crucitas at the end of a long day, step up to a 34×34 for extra insurance on the steepest kicks. Neither is overkill on a climb of this length — the goal is to protect your legs so the summit at 276 m arrives with energy to spare.

Summary

Alto de las Crucitas is a well-behaved category 4 climb: long enough to matter, steady enough to enjoy, and just steep enough in places to keep you honest. Pace the shallow sections, save something for the 7.18% ramps, and the 263 m of gain unspools smoothly beneath you.

Length: 7.1 km
Average gradient: 3.72%
Max gradient: 7.18%
Start: 13 m
Summit: 276 m
Net gain: 263 m
Total ascent: 253 m
Category: 4