Coll de Capsacosta

Overview

Coll de Capsacosta is a compact but serious Category 2 climb that packs a lot of vertical into a short distance. Over just 6.1 km the road lifts you from 375 m at the base to 866 m at the summit, a net gain of 491 m at an average gradient of 8%. That average alone tells you this is no gentle draw-out: an unbroken 8% for the better part of an hour's effort is enough to sting the legs of most riders, and the profile hides a nastier surprise. A single ramp touches 28.44%, a wall-like pitch that forces you out of the saddle whether you planned to be there or not. The total ascent of 464 m confirms this is a climb with very little relief once the gradient bites.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Do the arithmetic and the shape becomes clear. With 491 m of net gain over 6.1 km, the road climbs steadily from the first pedal stroke rather than easing you in. The 8% mean is the story of most of the ascent, but the gap between that average and the 28.44% maximum is where the difficulty lives. That maximum is more than three times the average, so expect the road to lurch upward well beyond 8% in places while other stretches sit closer to it. There is a small difference between the 491 m net gain and the 464 m total ascent, which points to brief flatter or barely-descending moments that break the rhythm without offering much genuine recovery. Plan your effort around the walls, not the average.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short and steep, the smart move is to hold something in reserve for the steepest ramps rather than burying yourself early. Ride the sustained sections at or just below your threshold and let the gradient — not your ego — dictate the surges. If you know your FTP, aim to sit near it on the 8% stretches and accept that the 28.44% pitch will briefly spike you well above it; that is unavoidable and fine, provided you settle again afterward. If you have not tested recently, the FTP estimator will give you a working number to pace against. The 6.1 km length means this is a sustained effort, not a sprint, so meter your matches carefully.

Gearing

Steep, punchy climbs reward compact gearing, and Capsacosta is a strong case for it. A 34×32 is the sensible minimum here — it lets you spin the 8% sections without grinding — but given that single 28.44% ramp, a 34×34 is the safer choice for most riders. That extra sprocket keeps your cadence alive when the road stands up, and it can be the difference between riding the wall and weaving across it. If your legs are fresh and your threshold is high, 34×32 will do; if you value staying seated and smooth, take the 34×34.

Summary

Coll de Capsacosta is short, sharp, and honest: 6.1 km of near-relentless 8% with one genuinely brutal ramp. Respect the walls, gear low, and pace the sustained sections and it rewards you with a satisfying 866 m summit.

Length: 6.1 km
Average gradient: 8%
Max gradient: 28.44%
Start: 375 m
Summit: 866 m
Net gain: 491 m
Total ascent: 464 m
Category: 2