Alto del Trigo

Overview

Alto del Trigo is a category 3 climb that trades brute intensity for length. Over 10.6 km it lifts you from a starting elevation of 1141 m to a summit at 1579 m, a net elevation gain of 438 m. The average gradient sits at a gentle-sounding 4.14%, but the numbers hide a maximum pitch of 12.69% — a reminder that a modest average can still bite. With a total ascent of 426 m recorded across the profile, this is a climb where rhythm and patience matter more than raw power.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The story of Alto del Trigo is the gap between its 4.14% average and its 12.69% maximum. That spread of over 8 percentage points tells you the road is not uniform: long stretches likely sit at or below the average, punctuated by shorter ramps that push well into double digits. Because the net gain (438 m) slightly exceeds the total ascent figure (426 m), the climb is almost relentlessly upward with little relief — you rarely give elevation back. Expect to settle into a steady tempo on the shallower sections, then brace for the steepest kicks that briefly triple the average grade. Reading the road ahead and shifting early will keep you from bogging down when the gradient jumps.

Pacing Notes

At an average of 4.14% over 10.6 km, Alto del Trigo is long enough to punish an aggressive start. Pace it off your sustainable effort rather than the terrain. A useful anchor is your FTP: aim to ride the shallower sections at a comfortable fraction of it, leaving headroom for the 12.69% ramps where your power will naturally spike. If you don't know your threshold, estimate it first with the FTP estimator, then set a ceiling you won't exceed on the flatter portions. The goal is to arrive at the 1579 m summit with something left, not to blow up on the first steep pitch. Meter the effort, breathe through the ramps, and let the 438 m of climbing come to you.

Gearing

Even though the average is only 4.14%, the 12.69% maximum is where gearing earns its keep. For most riders a compact setup with a wide-range cassette is ideal. A 34×32 will handle the bulk of Alto del Trigo comfortably, giving you a spinnable gear for the sustained middle grades. But if you weigh more, ride tired, or simply prefer to save your legs across the full 10.6 km, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket keeps your cadence high on the steepest ramps and protects your knees over 438 m of continuous climbing. When in doubt, choose the easier gear — spinning beats grinding on a climb this long.

Summary

Alto del Trigo rewards steady, disciplined riding: a long but manageable category 3 test where reading the gradient and gearing sensibly matter more than fireworks. Pace it off your threshold, respect the steep pitches, and the 1579 m summit is well within reach.

Length: 10.6 km
Average gradient: 4.14%
Max gradient: 12.69%
Start: 1141 m
Summit: 1579 m
Net gain: 438 m
Total ascent: 426 m
Category: 3