Col de Lizuniaga

Overview

The Col de Lizuniaga is a short, honest climb that rewards rhythm over heroics. Over 4.1 km it lifts you from a low 43 m start to a 215 m summit — a net gain of 172 m — at an average gradient of 4.23%. That places it firmly in category 4, the gentlest of the classified tiers (below 3, 2, 1 and the fearsome HC). The total ascent tallies 150 m, and with a maximum pitch of just 5.79%, there is nothing here that will pin you to the bars. Instead, Lizuniaga is a climb you can ride at threshold from base to top if your legs and pacing cooperate.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of this climb is its consistency. With an average of 4.23% and a maximum of only 5.79%, the road never strays far from its mean. The gap between typical and peak gradient is barely over one and a half percent, which tells you this is a climb of long, even ramps rather than sharp walls or false flats. There are no sudden accelerations to survive and no dramatic easing to recover on. From the 43 m foot to the 215 m crest, the 172 m of net elevation is dealt out steadily across the full 4.1 km. Expect to settle into a single gear early and stay there.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient is so uniform, Lizuniaga is an ideal effort for holding a fixed power target. Ride it just under or right at your FTP and you can maintain the same intensity from bottom to top without the surges that steeper climbs demand. If you do not know your threshold number yet, run it through the FTP estimator before you plan your effort. With only 172 m to gain over 4.1 km, most riders will clear it in a single sustained push — the challenge is discipline, not survival. Start a touch conservatively over the first kilometre, then let the steady 4.23% pull the power out of you as the summit approaches.

Gearing

You do not need mountain gearing for a climb that tops out at 5.79%. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is more than enough. A 34×32 will spin comfortably for most trained riders across the entire 4.1 km, keeping cadence high on the steady grade. If you prefer to sit and stay seated, or you are carrying fatigue from earlier climbing, a 34×34 gives you that extra bailout ring for the max pitches without ever feeling over-geared on the flatter sections. Either setup lets you ride the whole 172 m of gain smoothly rather than grinding.

Summary

The Col de Lizuniaga is a clean, repeatable category-4 climb: short enough to attack, steady enough to pace, and forgiving enough to enjoy. Treat it as a threshold test piece and you will get the most from its 172 m of ascent.

Length — 4.1 km
Average gradient — 4.23%
Max gradient — 5.79%
Start — 43 m
Summit — 215 m
Net gain — 172 m
Total ascent — 150 m
Category — 4