Alto del Morro

Overview

Alto del Morro is a Category 1 climb that asks a serious question of your legs: 13 km at an average gradient of 7.22%, rising from a start elevation of 1931 m all the way to a 2873 m summit. That works out to 942 m of net elevation gain, with 907 m of measured total ascent packed into a road that rarely lets you settle. On paper the average looks stern but manage. The catch is the spread: a maximum gradient of 21.15% lurks somewhere in the middle of that 7.22% mean, and it is those spikes that define the day.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 7.22% average and the 21.15% maximum tells you almost everything about the character of this climb. A road that averaged its stated gradient evenly would feel steady, even meditative. Alto del Morro does not. To hold a 7.22% mean while touching 21.15%, long stretches must sit near or below the average, which means the steep sections have to bite hard to pull the number back up. Expect a rhythm of sustained grinding punctuated by short, savage ramps where the gradient nearly triples. Compounding the challenge is altitude: you finish at 2873 m, high enough that thinner air trims your usable power precisely when those 942 m of accumulated gain have already emptied the tank.

Pacing Notes

The single biggest mistake on a climb like this is chasing the ramps. Over 13 km you want to anchor your effort to a sustainable percentage of your FTP rather than reacting to each pitch. Ride the 7.22% grade a shade under threshold so you carry a buffer into the 21.15% walls, then let your speed sag on those pitches without spiking your power. It is far cheaper to crawl a steep 20 metres than to blow apart trying to hold pace on it. If you are not sure what number to target, run your figures through the FTP estimator first, then set your climbing ceiling from there. With 907 m of total ascent to cover and thin air at the top, discipline in the first two thirds is what leaves you something for the summit.

Gearing

Come prepared for the steep end. For a climb touching 21.15%, a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the sustained 7.22% sections comfortably, but it can feel cruelly tall when the road rears toward its maximum. If you have any doubt about your climbing legs, or you want to spin rather than grind at 2873 m, fit a 34×34 and thank yourself on the ramps. The extra range costs you almost nothing on the shallower pitches and buys real insurance where the gradient bites hardest.

Summary

Alto del Morro rewards patience and punishes ego. Meter your effort across the 13 km, respect the jump from 7.22% to 21.15%, gear low, and let the summit come to you.

Length: 13 km
Average gradient: 7.22%
Max gradient: 21.15%
Start: 1931 m
Summit: 2873 m
Net gain: 942 m
Total ascent: 907 m
Category: 1