Alto del Toro

Overview

Alto del Toro is a 6.5 km climb that earns its category 2 rating through sustained effort rather than a single brutal wall. From a start elevation of 1378 m it lifts you to a summit of 1802 m, a net gain of 424 m across the ascent. At an average gradient of 6.56%, this is the kind of climb that sits squarely in threshold territory: hard enough to hurt, steady enough that a smart rider can settle into a rhythm and hold it all the way to the top.

Category 2 climbs are the middle of the road in difficulty — tougher than a 3 or 4, but short of the category 1 and hors catégorie monsters. Toro fits that mould. The 6.5 km distance is long enough that pacing errors compound, but not so long that you can't hold a firm, committed pace from bottom to top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline numbers tell a clear story. The average sits at 6.56%, while the steepest pitch bites at 12.45% — roughly double the mean. That spread means the climb is not perfectly even: expect stretches close to the average interspersed with at least one ramp that nearly doubles the effort.

The net elevation gain is 424 m, while the total ascent is 389 m. That small difference of 35 m tells you the road isn't a pure, monotonic climb — there are brief relief sections where the grade eases before it kicks up again. Treat the 12.45% pitch as the crux: get out of the saddle if you need to, but avoid burning matches you'll want later. Once past the steepest ramp, the climb settles back toward its 6.56% character for the run to the summit.

Pacing Notes

The single most useful number for pacing Alto del Toro is your FTP. At 6.56% average over 6.5 km, most riders will be climbing for a duration that lives right around threshold, so knowing your sustainable power turns guesswork into strategy.

Aim to hold a steady effort at or just below FTP on the consistent sections, and allow a controlled surge above it only through the 12.45% ramp. The danger on a climb like this is going too hard early on the opening slopes and paying for it when the gradient spikes.

If you don't have a reliable FTP figure yet, run a quick estimate with the FTP estimator before your attempt. A realistic number keeps you from overcooking the bottom and lets you finish strong across the final metres to 1802 m.

Gearing

For a 6.5 km climb averaging 6.56% with a 12.45% maximum, gearing choice is about protecting your cadence on the steep pitch. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default.

A 34×32 is enough for many trained riders to spin the average grade and survive the ramp without grinding. If you weigh more, ride at altitude near 1378–1802 m where the air is thinner, or simply prefer to keep your legs fresh, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket gives you a lower bailout gear precisely where the 12.45% section demands it, letting you hold cadence instead of mashing.

Summary

Alto del Toro is a well-rounded category 2 test: long enough to reward pacing, steep enough in its crux to punish complacency. Know your FTP, gear conservatively, and ride the 6.56% average with patience.

Length: 6.5 km
Average gradient: 6.56%
Max gradient: 12.45%
Start: 1378 m
Summit: 1802 m
Net gain: 424 m
Total ascent: 389 m
Category: 2