Alto del Fical

Overview

Alto del Fical is a short, honest climb that rewards rhythm over raw power. Over just 2.9 km it lifts you from 611 m to 733 m, a net gain of 122 m, at an average gradient of 4.16%. Its category 4 rating — the gentlest of the classified tiers below 1, 2, 3, and the fearsome hors catégorie — tells you exactly what to expect: a manageable effort that still asks for a committed, sustained push rather than a casual spin.

With a maximum gradient of 6.5%, nothing here spikes into leg-breaking territory. The gap between the 4.16% average and that 6.5% ceiling is modest, which means the climb never lurches dramatically. Instead it presents a consistent wall of moderate resistance that you can settle into and hold.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Fical is its evenness. An average of 4.16% and a peak of only 6.5% leave little room for wild swings, so the profile reads as a steady tilt rather than a series of hairpin surprises. Expect the road to hover close to the average for most of its 2.9 km, with the steepest pitches nudging toward 6.5% before easing back.

The distinction between the net elevation gain of 122 m and the total ascent of 102 m hints at the shape: not perfectly monotonic, but close. That 20 m difference suggests the odd flatter breath or brief dip embedded in the overall rise, giving you short windows to recover cadence before the grade reasserts itself.

Pacing Notes

Because Fical is short and steady, it suits a threshold-style effort. Ride it just under your FTP and you can carry that intensity across the full 2.9 km without blowing up on the 6.5% pinches. If you don't know your number, run it through the FTP estimator before you plan your pacing target.

Resist the urge to attack the opening ramp. With only 122 m to gain, there's no long summit hiding around the corner — but going out too hard on a climb this short still costs you more time than a measured, even effort. Meter your power to the average, lift slightly through the steepest sections, and let the near-uniform gradient do its work.

Gearing

For a category 4 climb topping out at 6.5%, most riders won't need extreme gearing. A compact setup with a 34×32 low gear is ample for holding a comfortable cadence at threshold across the 2.9 km. If you prefer to spin lighter, or you're carrying fatigue or extra load, a 34×34 gives you a touch more headroom on the 6.5% pitches without ever feeling like overkill. Either way, the goal is to keep your legs turning smoothly rather than grinding.

Summary

Alto del Fical is a compact, well-mannered climb: short enough to hit hard, steady enough to pace cleanly, and never steeper than 6.5%. Treat it as a threshold test over 2.9 km, gear sensibly, and it becomes a satisfying rhythm effort rather than a battle.

Length: 2.9 km
Average gradient: 4.16%
Max gradient: 6.5%
Start: 611 m
Summit: 733 m
Net gain: 122 m
Total ascent: 102 m
Category: 4