Alto del Molino

Overview

Alto del Molino is a long, sustained Category 1 climb that rewards patience over punch. Over 17.6 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 1234 m to a summit at 2161 m, a net elevation gain of 927 m. The average gradient sits at 5.28%, which sounds mellow on paper but plays out very differently across nearly eighteen kilometres. This is a climb of accumulation: no single ramp will break you, but the sheer duration and the thinning air near 2161 m make it a genuine test of steady climbing.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is that 5.28% average, but the road is far from uniform. With a max gradient of 9.34%, the steepest pitches are almost double the average, which tells you the climb hides its difficulty in an uneven profile. Stretches sit comfortably below 5.28% and give you room to breathe, while the sharper sections push toward 9.34% and force a decisive change of rhythm.

There's a useful clue in the numbers too. The net elevation gain is 927 m, yet the total ascent is 895 m — the two figures are close, which means the road climbs almost relentlessly upward with little in the way of descending or false flat to recover on. On a climb of this shape, momentum is precious. Read the road ahead, sit down through the steeper 9.34% pinches, and don't waste energy fighting the gradient where it eases.

Pacing Notes

At 17.6 km, Alto del Molino is won or lost in the first third. The single biggest mistake is starting above your sustainable power and paying for it in the thin air near the summit. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a controlled, repeatable output rather than chasing the surges of the 9.34% ramps.

If you're not sure what a realistic target is for a climb this long, run your recent numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace. A good rule for a Category 1 effort of this duration is to ride the lower gradients at a tempo you could hold well past the summit, and let the 9.34% sections briefly lift your power without spiking it. With 927 m of climbing to distribute, discipline early buys you strength late.

Gearing

Given the 5.28% average and pitches up to 9.34%, gear for spin, not grind. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default here. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steeper ramps while keeping cadence respectable, but on a climb this long, fatigue compounds — a 34×34 gives you the extra margin to keep the pedals turning through the 9.34% sections when your legs start to protest. If you tend to grind at low cadence or you're carrying gear, favour the 34×34. Over 17.6 km, an easier gear you rarely need beats a hard gear you can't turn.

Summary

Alto del Molino is a classic long Category 1 climb: relentless, honest, and best ridden with your head as much as your legs. Pace it off your FTP, gear low, and respect the altitude gain to the 2161 m summit.

Length: 17.6 km
Average gradient: 5.28%
Max gradient: 9.34%
Start: 1234 m
Summit: 2161 m
Net gain: 927 m
Total ascent: 895 m
Category: 1