Alto de Xurize

Overview

Alto de Xurize is a category 2 climb that rewards patience over pure power. Over 14.5 km it averages a moderate 4.62%, lifting you from a start elevation of 619 m to a summit at 1288 m. That works out to a net elevation gain of 669 m, with 644 m of total ascent once the small descents and flat stretches along the way are accounted for. On paper it reads as a steady tempo effort, but the 14.47% maximum gradient tells you there is real bite hidden inside the average. This is a climb where the number that matters most is not the average — it is the length. Nearly fifteen kilometres of continuous work asks for discipline, not fireworks.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between a 4.62% average and a 14.47% maximum is the whole story of Alto de Xurize. A climb that truly held 4.62% the entire way would feel almost pleasant; instead, the modest average is stretched over ramps that spike more than three times steeper than the mean. Because the net gain of 669 m slightly exceeds the 644 m of total ascent, the profile is not perfectly monotonic — there are shallower sections and brief respites that pull the average down, which means the steep pitches must be steeper still to compensate. Expect the effort to arrive in pulses: long draggy stretches near the average, punctuated by kicks toward that 14.47% ceiling. Ride the easy metres honestly and you will have something left when the road rears up.

Pacing Notes

The smart way to climb 14.5 km is to anchor your effort to sustainable numbers rather than emotion. Aim to hold the shallow-to-average sections a touch below your threshold so the 14.47% ramps do not blow you apart. Your FTP is the reference point here — the steep pitches will briefly push you above it, and you want that to be a deliberate overshoot, not a panic. If you do not know your current threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target for the day. On a climb this long, the difference between starting one percent too hard and one percent too easy compounds badly across the full 669 m of climbing.

Gearing

At a 4.62% average this looks like a compact-friendly climb, and for many riders a 34×32 bottom gear will cover the bulk of the 14.5 km comfortably. But do not gear for the average — gear for the 14.47% maximum. Those ramps are where a marginal setup turns into a grind, so if your legs are tired or your fitness is not at its peak, drop to a 34×34. The extra range keeps your cadence up on the steepest metres and protects your knees over a sustained effort like this. When in doubt on a climb with this much length and this steep a ceiling, choose the easier gear.

Summary

Alto de Xurize is a deceptively long category 2 climb: gentle on average, sharp in its steepest moments, and demanding simply because it does not end quickly. Pace it to the length, gear it to the max gradient, and the 1288 m summit is well within reach.

Length: 14.5 km
Average gradient: 4.62%
Max gradient: 14.47%
Start: 619 m
Summit: 1288 m
Net gain: 669 m
Total ascent: 644 m
Category: 2