Alto de Marín

Overview

Alto de Marín is a short, honest climb: 1.3 km of road that averages 5.61% and never bites harder than 6.11%. It starts low, at 13 m of elevation, and finishes at 85 m — a net gain of 72 m over its brief length. As a category 4 ascent (the gentlest rung above flat, well below the hors catégorie monsters), it is the kind of climb you can attack rather than survive. The numbers tell a tidy story: not long, not steep, but steady enough to sting if you overcook the opening.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Marín is its consistency. With an average of 5.61% and a maximum of just 6.11%, the gap between the typical slope and the hardest ramp is barely half a percent. There are no false flats to recover on and no wall to dread — the road simply tilts up and holds. Over 1.3 km that means a near-uniform effort from bottom to top.

Note the difference between the two elevation figures: the net gain reads 72 m (85 m minus 13 m), while the total ascent logs 62 m. That 10 m gap points to a road that dips or eases briefly somewhere along the way before resuming the climb, so a small fraction of your altitude arrives without pedaling uphill. In practice the climb feels like one clean pull.

Pacing Notes

Because Marín is so short and so even, it rewards a controlled, threshold-style effort rather than a from-the-gun sprint. Aim to settle in just around your FTP — the power you can hold for roughly an hour — and let the steady 5.61% do the metering for you. A 1.3 km climb is over quickly, so a modest overshoot at the base is survivable, but a blow-up near the 6.11% pitch will cost you far more than it gains.

If you are not sure what number to anchor your effort to, run your recent data through the FTP estimator and target a pace you can hold to the 85 m summit without fading. Even effort beats heroics here.

Gearing

For a climb this gentle and this brief, you do not need extreme ratios — but comfort is still worth having. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 will spin the 5.61% average smoothly for most riders, keeping cadence high across the full 1.3 km. If you carry extra weight, favor a lower cadence, or simply want insurance against the 6.11% ramp, a 34×34 gives you a touch more room to sit and turn the pedals rather than grind. Either choice leaves you well within range on a category 4 slope.

Summary

Alto de Marín is a quick, well-mannered climb: consistent gradient, a manageable summit, and no nasty surprises. Ride it at threshold, gear for comfort, and enjoy a category 4 that lets you push.

Length: 1.3 km
Average gradient: 5.61%
Max gradient: 6.11%
Start: 13 m
Summit: 85 m
Net gain: 72 m
Total ascent: 62 m
Category: 4