Alto del Cincho

Overview

Alto del Cincho is a short, honest category 3 climb: 3.7 km of road that carries you from a start elevation of just 21 m up to a 233 m summit. That is a net gain of 212 m over the distance, for an average gradient of 5.8%. On paper this is a modest number, but the average hides a real bite — the steepest ramp touches 14.68%, more than double the mean. Interestingly, the total ascent logged is 173 m, less than the 212 m net gain, which tells you the climb runs almost relentlessly upward without meaningful downhill relief along the way.

At under 4 km, Cincho sits firmly in the "over before your legs really complain" bracket, but the gradient spikes mean it rewards riders who can absorb sudden efforts without blowing up.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Read the numbers as a shape. With a 5.8% average and a 14.68% maximum, the climb is not evenly graded — it is a mix of comfortable stretches and short, sharp kicks. Expect sections that sit near or below the average, giving you a chance to breathe, punctuated by ramps that jump well into the double digits.

Because the total ascent (173 m) tracks so closely to the terrain over 3.7 km, there is almost no false-flat or descent to reset your rhythm. Once you start climbing, you keep climbing. The danger zone is any pitch approaching that 14.68% wall: hit it in the wrong gear and you will be grinding to stay upright. Save something for those moments rather than burning your matches on the gentler opening.

Pacing Notes

For a climb this short, the smart approach is to ride just under threshold on the shallow sections and let the effort surge over the steep ramps, rather than trying to hold a perfectly even pace. Anchor your effort to your FTP: on the 5.8% average stretches you can sit close to it, and on the 14.68% pitches you will inevitably drift above it — that is fine over such a short distance.

If you do not know your threshold, run your recent efforts through the FTP estimator first, then set a target power for the 3.7 km. With only 212 m of net gain to conquer, going a touch too hard early is recoverable; blowing up on the steepest ramp is not.

Gearing

Do not let the short length fool you into under-gearing. That 14.68% maximum is where cadence collapses, so plan your cassette around the steep ramps, not the 5.8% average. A compact 34-tooth inner ring is the sensible front end here.

For most riders, a 34×32 lowest gear covers the bulk of the climb and keeps you spinning through the ramps without over-torquing your knees. If you are carrying fatigue, ride at a lighter build, or simply prefer a higher cadence on steep pitches, step up to a 34×34 — the extra bailout makes the 14.68% sections manageable rather than survival-mode. Given the climb only asks for 212 m of net gain, the goal is efficiency, and the right gear keeps you seated and smooth.

Summary

Alto del Cincho is a compact category 3 test: 3.7 km, a friendly 5.8% average, and a genuinely stinging 14.68% maximum. Pace it just under threshold, gear for the ramps, and enjoy a summit that comes quickly.

Length: 3.7 km
Average gradient: 5.8%
Max gradient: 14.68%
Start: 21 m
Summit: 233 m
Net gain: 212 m
Total ascent: 173 m
Category: 3