Alto del Almorzadero

Overview

Alto del Almorzadero is a climb that hides nothing. Over 8.1 km it averages 11.54%, hauling you from a start elevation of 2151 m to a summit of 3089 m. That is a net elevation gain of 938 m packed into a distance most riders would expect to cover in under half an hour on flat ground — here it will cost you far more. With a maximum gradient of 17.81% and a category rating of HC (hors catégorie, the hardest tier before you run out of categories), this is a benchmark effort. The thin air near 3089 m only compounds the difficulty: every watt costs more the higher you climb.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The number to internalize is the average: 11.54%. On most climbs an 11%+ average implies brutal ramps balanced by brief recovery. Almorzadero offers little of that relief. The 17.81% max gradient tells you where the sharpest bite lives, but the gap between that maximum and the 11.54% mean is small enough that the "easy" sections are still steep. In practice the road rarely drops into single digits. You are not managing spikes so much as sustaining a relentless double-digit grind for the full 8.1 km. With 938 m of net gain — and a measured 895 m of total ascent along the way — there are no true descents to spin out your legs. Once you commit, the climb simply keeps tilting upward until the 3089 m summit.

Pacing Notes

At this gradient, pacing is everything. Going out too hard in the first kilometer is the classic Almorzadero mistake, because there is no flatter section ahead to recover in. Anchor your effort to a percentage of your FTP rather than to speed or feel — on an 11.54% average, your speed will be so low that perceived exertion lies to you. If you do not have a recent number, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you tackle this one. A sensible target for most riders is a controlled tempo-to-threshold effort that you could hold for the better part of an hour, respecting that the altitude near the 3089 m summit will quietly trim your ceiling.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this climb. On an 11.54% average with pitches to 17.81%, gearing that feels generous on a normal alpine climb will leave you grinding here. A compact 34-tooth front paired with a wide-range cassette is the floor. A 34×32 is workable if you are strong and light, but for most riders climbing 8.1 km at this gradient, a 34×34 gives you the extra spin to protect your knees and hold cadence when the road bites toward 17.81%. If your bike allows an even wider low gear, use it — there is no shame in an easier ratio over 938 m of climbing.

Summary

Alto del Almorzadero is a pure test: short in distance, savage in gradient, and thin in air at the top. Respect the average, gear low, pace off your FTP, and let the 3089 m summit come to you.

Length: 8.1 km
Average gradient: 11.54%
Max gradient: 17.81%
Start: 2151 m
Summit: 3089 m
Net gain: 938 m
Total ascent: 895 m
Category: HC