Alto de las Flores

Overview

Alto de las Flores is a long, category 1 haul that trades brutal steepness for sheer duration. Over 33.4 km it lifts you from 465 m to a 2019 m summit, a net elevation gain of 1554 m. The average gradient reads a modest 4.65%, but that figure hides the true character of the climb: with 1752 m of total ascent packed into the profile, there are rolling dips and recoveries between the harder pitches, and a maximum gradient of 11.32% waiting for anyone who lets their guard down. This is a climb of patience and rhythm rather than raw explosive power.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.65% average and the 11.32% maximum tells you most of what you need to know. Because total ascent (1752 m) exceeds net gain (1554 m) by 198 m, the road gives some of its height back along the way — expect false flats and short descents that break up the effort and reset your legs. Those undulations mean the steepest ramps toward 11.32% sit above the average, so the climb feels punchier in bursts than the headline number suggests. The full 1554 m of vertical to the 2019 m summit is earned gradually, but never quite evenly. Reading the road ahead and easing off before the pitches, rather than after, is the key to arriving at the top intact.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to a percentage of your FTP and hold it steady through the early kilometres — the summit is a long way off, and going into the red on the first steep ramp will cost you dearly across 33.4 km. If you are not sure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your target power. Use the false flats and short descents as active recovery, spinning lightly rather than coasting, and save a little in reserve for the 11.32% pitches. Because the climb tops out at 2019 m, expect thinner air toward the summit to blunt your usual output, so budget accordingly and don't chase early splits.

Gearing

Length is the enemy here, not gradient — but the 11.32% maximum still demands a bailout gear when your legs are 1554 m of climbing deep. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring is the sensible foundation. Pair it with a wide-range cassette: a 34×32 will handle the bulk of the climb comfortably, while a 34×34 gives you the extra cadence to sit and spin through the steepest ramps without grinding. If you tend to fade late or you're carrying gear, favour the 34×34 for the additional margin. The goal is to keep your cadence high and your torque low so you can defend your pace across the full 33.4 km.

Summary

Alto de las Flores rewards the rider who respects its length. Pace conservatively, gear generously, and let the climb come to you rather than attacking it — 1554 m of net gain is a lot to give back if you blow up early.

Length: 33.4 km
Average gradient: 4.65%
Max gradient: 11.32%
Start: 465 m
Summit: 2019 m
Net gain: 1554 m
Total ascent: 1752 m
Category: 1