Alto del Palo de Campana

Overview

Alto del Palo de Campana is a compact Category 3 climb that trades length for consistent bite. Over just 1.9 km it averages 7.45%, lifting you from a start elevation of 423 m to a summit at 566 m. That is 143 m of net elevation gain, with 105 m of total ascent recorded along the way — a sign that the road climbs almost relentlessly upward, with little in the way of false flats or descents to break the effort. With a maximum gradient of 9.39%, it stays firmly in the range that rewards a steady, controlled approach rather than heroics off the bottom.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is uniformity. A 7.45% average across 1.9 km means there is no gentle valley run-in to hide behind — the grade sits close to its mean for most of the climb, and the steepest pitch of 9.39% is only about two percentage points above that average. The gap between net gain of 143 m and total ascent of 105 m tells you this is not a rolling profile with recovery dips; it is a near-continuous ramp. Expect the road to tilt up early and hold, with the hardest section arriving as a pinch rather than a wall. Because the whole effort is so short, small changes in gradient are felt quickly in the legs.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this brief, pacing is about not overcommitting in the first few hundred metres. At 1.9 km, the entire ascent is a sustained threshold effort for most riders — think just above or right at your FTP if you are racing it, or a touch below for a strong tempo. The danger is going too deep on the opening slope and paying for it when the 9.39% pinch arrives. Settle into a rhythm, keep your breathing controlled, and save a gear for the steepest section. If you are unsure what wattage to target, run the numbers through the FTP estimator and set a realistic ceiling before you start.

Gearing

The 7.45% average with a 9.39% maximum is well within reach of a standard compact setup for most riders. A 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 32-tooth largest cog (34×32) gives enough range to spin the steeper pitch without grinding, while keeping cadence high on the shorter, brief climb. If you prefer to sit and spin, or you are carrying fatigue from earlier climbing, a 34×34 adds a little extra insurance for the 9.39% section and helps you protect your legs. Because the climb is only 1.9 km, you will not need a wide gearing spread — just one comfortable low gear to hold through the hardest metres.

Summary

Alto del Palo de Campana is a short, honest Category 3 test: steep enough to sting, brief enough to attack. Pace the opening, respect the 9.39% pinch, and you will crest the 566 m summit having gained 143 m in well under two kilometres.

Length: 1.9 km
Average gradient: 7.45%
Max gradient: 9.39%
Start: 423 m
Summit: 566 m
Net gain: 143 m
Total ascent: 105 m
Category: 3