Alto de Torremochuela

Overview

Alto de Torremochuela is a short, high-altitude category 4 climb that packs a tidy 185 m of net elevation gain into 4.6 km of road. You start already high, at 1213 m, and finish at 1398 m — the entire effort plays out above the treeline territory where thin air quietly nibbles at your legs. At 4.02% on average, it never bares its teeth the way a category 1 or HC ascent would, but it is long enough and high enough to reward a rider who paces it properly rather than treating it as a throwaway bump.

The headline numbers tell a friendly story: 4.6 km, 4.02% average, and a max of 6.59% that barely crests into the "you'll feel it" range. This is a climb you can ride steadily from bottom to top without ever red-lining, provided you respect the altitude.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.02% average and the 6.59% maximum is only about 2.57 percentage points, which tells you a lot about the climb's shape: it is remarkably even. There is no cruel finishing wall, no double-digit ramp lurking around a blind bend. Instead, the road tilts up and holds a rhythm close to its average for most of its 4.6 km.

Note, too, the split between net gain and total ascent. The net gain is 185 m while the recorded total ascent is 164 m — meaning the profile isn't perfectly monotonic. Expect a short flatter or gently rolling section or two where the grade eases before resuming, letting you recover your cadence without ever fully coasting.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient is so consistent, Torremochuela rewards a metered, sustainable effort over surges. Aim to settle just below your threshold and let the even grade carry you. A useful anchor is your FTP: riding this climb at roughly 85–90% of that number will keep you strong to the summit without blowing up on the steeper 6.59% pinches.

If you don't yet know your threshold power, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your effort — pacing a 4.6 km climb is far easier when you have a target wattage rather than guessing by feel, especially with altitude flattening your perceived exertion.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 4.02% with a max of 6.59%, most riders will be perfectly comfortable on a compact setup. A 34×32 low gear gives you plenty of range to spin the steeper sections without grinding, and for anyone carrying fatigue, riding at altitude, or simply preferring to keep the cadence high, a 34×34 adds a welcome extra sprocket of insurance. Neither is strictly necessary for the strongest riders, but the higher elevation here is a good argument for erring toward the easier ratio — you want to protect your legs against the thin air, not fight the gearing.

Summary

Alto de Torremochuela is an approachable, evenly graded category 4 climb best enjoyed at a steady tempo, with its main challenge coming from the altitude rather than the slope. Pace it with your threshold in mind, gear it a touch easy, and enjoy the ride to 1398 m.

Length: 4.6 km
Average gradient: 4.02%
Max gradient: 6.59%
Start: 1213 m
Summit: 1398 m
Net gain: 185 m
Total ascent: 164 m
Category: 4