Alto de Miudeiros

Overview

Alto de Miudeiros is a Category 1 climb that stretches 14.5 km from a base at 198 m to a summit of 1055 m. That works out to a net gain of 857 m at an average gradient of 5.92%, with the road pitching as steep as 9.24% at its hardest. The total ascent of 839 m is only marginally below the net figure, which tells you almost everything about the character of this climb: it goes up, and it keeps going up, with very little in the way of downhill respite to break the rhythm. At nearly 15 kilometres, it is a genuine endurance test rather than a short, sharp effort.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 857 m net gain and the 839 m total ascent is just 18 m, meaning the descents and flat sections that would normally give your legs a moment to recover are almost entirely absent. This is a climb that trends relentlessly upward. With a 5.92% average but a 9.24% maximum, the steepest ramps sit roughly 3.32 percentage points above the mean, so the hardest pitches are noticeably tougher than the overall number suggests but never veer into wall-like territory. Expect long stretches close to the average punctuated by steeper kicks that force you out of the saddle before the road settles back to a sustainable grade.

Pacing Notes

Because Miudeiros is long and steady, it rewards a disciplined, even effort rather than heroics on the lower slopes. Anchor your pacing to your FTP: on a Category 1 climb of this length, holding a percentage of threshold you can sustain for the full duration matters far more than surging on the steeper ramps. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first, then set a target power you can defend across all 14.5 km. Leave enough in reserve for the 9.24% sections so they cost you rhythm rather than blow your effort apart.

Gearing

For a sustained 14.5 km at 5.92% averaging into pitches of 9.24%, prioritise a wide-range cassette over a big chainring. A compact setup with a 34×32 lowest gear is the sensible baseline for most riders here, giving you a spinnable cadence on the average grade and enough range to survive the steep ramps without grinding. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at altitude near the 1055 m summit, or simply prefer to keep the legs turning, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket buys real breathing room over an 857 m ascent and helps you protect your effort when the gradient bites.

Summary

Alto de Miudeiros is a long, honest Category 1 climb: relentlessly upward, steady in its demands, and best met with even pacing and forgiving gears. Respect its length, ration your effort against the 9.24% ramps, and the 857 m of climbing will come to you.

Length: 14.5 km
Average gradient: 5.92%
Max gradient: 9.24%
Start: 198 m
Summit: 1055 m
Net gain: 857 m
Total ascent: 839 m
Category: 1