Alto del Cerro

Overview

Alto del Cerro is a category 1 climb that runs 14.1 km with an average gradient of 6.53%. That combination alone tells you plenty: this is a long, sustained effort rather than a short punch. Over its full length the road climbs 923 m of net elevation, starting at 2207 m and topping out at a lofty 3130 m. The total ascent of 939 m is just fractionally higher than the net figure, which means there is almost no downhill respite hidden inside — nearly every meter you gain, you keep. On a climb of this size, that consistency is the defining feature.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 6.53% average is honest but not the whole story. With a maximum gradient of 19.58%, there is a section here that spikes to roughly three times the average — a genuine wall that will force you well out of your rhythm. Because the net gain (923 m) and total ascent (939 m) differ by only 16 m, the climb rises almost monotonically; there are no meaningful flat or descending stretches to soft-pedal and recover. The shape, then, is a long grind punctuated by at least one steep pitch approaching 19.58%. Everything else clusters closer to that 6.53% mean, so the challenge is holding a steady effort for 14.1 km while keeping something in reserve for the steepest ramp.

Pacing Notes

Fourteen kilometers is long enough that going too hard early will cost you badly, especially with the summit sitting at 3130 m where thinner air blunts your power. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to sit just below it for the bulk of the climb, allowing brief surges over that threshold only on the 19.58% pitch. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. At altitude, be conservative: the same wattage feels harder up here, so shade your pacing toward the lower end of your range and let the 923 m of climbing come to you rather than chasing it.

Gearing

For a 14.1 km climb averaging 6.53% with ramps to 19.58%, prioritize a bailout gear over top-end speed. A compact 34-tooth chainring is the sensible front choice. Pair it with at least a 34×32 for the sustained sections, but given that maximum gradient near 19.58% — and the fact that you will reach it with tired legs late in a long ascent — a 34×34 is the wiser call. That extra sprocket keeps your cadence alive on the steepest pitch and protects your knees over the full 923 m of gain. If your bike can take it, err toward the easier ratio; you will rarely regret a gear you did not need.

Summary

Alto del Cerro rewards patience: a steady 6.53% grind over 14.1 km, one demanding 19.58% wall, and a high-altitude finish at 3130 m. Pace it off your threshold, gear low, and respect the thin air.

Length: 14.1 km
Average gradient: 6.53%
Max gradient: 19.58%
Start: 2207 m
Summit: 3130 m
Net gain: 923 m
Total ascent: 939 m
Category: 1