Alto de las Palmas

Overview

Alto de las Palmas is a long, sustained Category 1 ascent that rewards patience over punch. Over 23.6 km it climbs at an average gradient of 5.77%, lifting you from a start elevation of 2047 m to a summit at 3410 m. That is 1363 m of net elevation gain and 1344 m of total ascent — the two figures sitting close together, which tells you this is an honest, mostly-upward road with very little reprieve. The steepest ramp tops out at 9.62%, but the story here is not the maximum gradient; it is the sheer duration. At nearly 24 km, this is a climb measured in the better part of an hour or more, and every meter of it is spent gaining altitude in increasingly thin mountain air.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 5.77% average and the 9.62% maximum is the key to reading this climb. It is not brutally steep, but it is relentless. Expect the road to hover around the average for long stretches, then stiffen toward that near-double-digit maximum on isolated ramps. Because total ascent (1344 m) is only 19 m shy of the net gain (1363 m), there are almost no false descents to break the rhythm — you will not be coasting to recover. Treat the climb as one continuous effort rather than a series of distinct sectors, and save something for the upper reaches, where the altitude approaching 3410 m quietly taxes your legs and lungs more than the gradient number alone suggests.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, going out too hard is the classic error. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to hold a steady, sustainable power rather than surging on every ramp. For most riders, a target just below threshold works for the full 23.6 km, with a small buffer held in reserve for the 9.62% pitches. If you are unsure of your numbers, run them through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pacing plan. Remember that climbing from 2047 m to 3410 m puts you deep into altitude where sustainable power drops — so the wattage that feels easy at sea level may not be repeatable up high. Start conservatively and let the last few kilometers reward your restraint.

Gearing

With 1363 m to gain over an average of 5.77% and ramps hitting 9.62%, gearing generosity beats bravado. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible choice. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steady sections comfortably, but on a climb this long — especially at altitude — a 34×34 gives you the extra spinning room to protect your legs across the full 23.6 km. If your bike accepts an even larger sprocket, there is no shame in it here. The goal is to keep your cadence high and your effort even, not to muscle a heavy gear up 1344 m of ascent.

Summary

Alto de las Palmas is a test of endurance and pacing discipline more than raw steepness. Respect the distance, manage your effort against the altitude, and gear low enough to spin the whole way.

Length: 23.6 km
Average gradient: 5.77%
Max gradient: 9.62%
Start: 2047 m
Summit: 3410 m
Net gain: 1363 m
Total ascent: 1344 m
Category: 1