Alto de Mulatos

Overview

Alto de Mulatos is a 6 km category 3 climb that trades brute steepness for steady, honest effort. It starts at 97 m and tops out at 388 m, a net elevation gain of 291 m. The average gradient sits at 4.83%, which places it firmly in the tempo zone rather than the leg-breaking territory of the steeper HC and category 1 ascents. With a max gradient of 7.67%, the hardest ramp is sharp enough to notice but never so severe that it forces a full grind. This is the kind of climb where rhythm, not raw power, carries the day.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Across 6 km, the climb gains 291 m in net elevation while total ascent measures 272 m. That small difference tells you the road isn't a single unbroken drag: there are brief flatter or downhill kicks folded into the ascent, moments where the gradient eases and lets you recover before the road tilts up again. The 4.83% average is the number you'll feel most of the time, a gradient you can hold seated and turning the pedals smoothly. The 7.67% max marks the steepest pinch, likely a short stiffening of the road where you'll want to shift down a cog and stay composed. Because the difference between net gain and total ascent is only 19 m, the profile is fairly clean and consistent rather than lumpy.

Pacing Notes

Treat Alto de Mulatos as a sustained tempo effort. At 6 km and 4.83% average, most riders will be climbing for a meaningful stretch, so setting an even power target from the bottom pays off far more than surging early. Aim to hold just below or around your FTP on the steeper sections and ease slightly where the gradient relents. If you're unsure what your threshold is, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you attack the climb, then anchor your pacing to that figure. The single 7.67% ramp is the place to spend a touch more, but resist the urge to empty the tank there; with 291 m of climbing to complete, a blown match early leaves the final kilometres a slog.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 4.83% with a 7.67% pinch, a compact setup is plenty. A 34×32 will let most riders spin comfortably through the steepest ramp while staying seated and efficient across the tempo sections. If you carry extra fatigue, ride a heavier bike, or simply prefer a higher cadence, stepping up to a 34×34 gives you a little more headroom without any downside on a climb of this length. Neither the gradient nor the 291 m of gain demands anything more aggressive, so match your cassette to your legs and keep the cadence lively.

Summary

Alto de Mulatos is an approachable, rhythm-friendly category 3 climb: 6 km of steady 4.83% road with one 7.67% bite, gaining 291 m from valley to summit. Pace it evenly, gear for comfort, and it rewards a smooth engine.

Length: 6 km
Average gradient: 4.83%
Max gradient: 7.67%
Start: 97 m
Summit: 388 m
Net gain: 291 m
Total ascent: 272 m
Category: 3