Alto de los Tocinillos

Overview

Alto de los Tocinillos is a short, honest category 4 climb in Spain. Over 4.4 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 356 m to a summit of 536 m — a net gain of 180 m at an average gradient of 4.12%. The steepest section tops out at 6.23%, so nothing here is genuinely brutal, but the length is enough to reward a rider who paces it well rather than one who blows the doors off at the base.

This is a climb defined by its consistency. With an average of 4.12% and a maximum of only 6.23%, the gradient never strays far from what your legs are already doing. That makes Tocinillos an ideal proving ground for tempo work and a satisfying tick on any ride that strings together a handful of ascents.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape of Tocinillos is its most useful feature. A 4.12% average paired with a 6.23% maximum tells you the road rarely spikes — the gap between typical and peak gradient is barely two percentage points. There are no walls, no sudden ramps to break your rhythm, just a road that tilts up and stays there.

Note also the difference between the 180 m net elevation gain and the 164 m of total ascent recorded on GPS — a reminder that the summit sits higher than a simple sum of the climbing suggests, with the terrain doing most of its work in one sustained push rather than a series of up-and-down rollers. Expect to settle into a gradient in the mid-4% range for most of the 4.4 km, with the steepest pitch near 6.23% arriving as the only real test of resolve.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient is so even, Tocinillos is a climb you should pace by feel and power rather than by dramatic surges. Aim to hold a steady effort just below your threshold for the full 4.4 km. A good target is to ride the bulk of the climb around or slightly under your FTP, lifting the effort only through the 6.23% pitch, then easing back as the road relents toward the 536 m summit.

If you are not sure what number to anchor that effort to, run your recent data through the FTP estimator and use the result as your ceiling. On a climb this short, going into the red early costs you far more than the seconds you think you are gaining — the 180 m of vertical goes by quickly when you stay smooth.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 4.12% and maxing at 6.23%, most riders will be comfortable without ultra-compact gearing. A compact chainset paired with a 34×32 lowest gear gives plenty of range to spin the 6.23% section without grinding. If you carry extra weight, ride tired legs, or simply prefer a higher cadence, a 34×34 adds a touch more insurance for the steepest pitch. Either setup lets you keep a smooth cadence across all 4.4 km — the goal here is rhythm, not survival.

Summary

Alto de los Tocinillos is a compact, steady category 4 climb: 4.4 km of consistent gradient that rewards even pacing and punishes over-eagerness. Ride it as a tempo effort, spin the one 6.23% pitch, and enjoy a clean 180 m of vertical.

Length: 4.4 km
Average gradient: 4.12%
Max gradient: 6.23%
Start: 356 m
Summit: 536 m
Net gain: 180 m
Total ascent: 164 m
Category: 4