Coll de Femenia

Overview

Coll de Femenia is a category 2 climb that packs a steady, sustained effort into 6.7 km. From a start elevation of 95 m it rises to a summit of 539 m, delivering a net elevation gain of 444 m over a total ascent of 427 m. The headline number is the 6.65% average gradient — the kind of slope that never lets you coast but rarely forces you off the bike. It sits comfortably in the middle of the difficulty scale (HC is hardest, then 1, 2, 3, 4), meaning it demands respect and pacing without being a full-blown mountain monster. Expect a climb you can settle into, punctuated by one genuinely steep pitch.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With 444 m of net gain across 6.7 km, the arithmetic tells the story: this is a climb of consistent pressure rather than dramatic swings. A 6.65% average sustained for nearly seven kilometres means you are almost always working against a gradient that would make flat-road riders uncomfortable. But the profile is not perfectly even. The max gradient of 16.57% is more than double the average, so there is at least one ramp where the road kicks up sharply and your cadence collapses. Because the total ascent (427 m) is slightly below the net gain (444 m), the climb is essentially all uphill with negligible relief — no false flats to recover your legs, no descents to break the rhythm. Meter you effort accordingly.

Pacing Notes

The smartest way to ride Femenia is to anchor your effort to your FTP. Because the 6.65% average is so steady, holding a controlled percentage of threshold from the bottom will get you to the top faster than surging early and blowing up on the 16.57% ramp. Aim to arrive at that steep section with reserves, then let your cadence drop and your torque rise to grind through it. If you do not know your threshold, use the FTP estimator to get a number to pace against. On a climb this length, the difference between a disciplined negative split and an over-eager start can be a minute or more at the line.

Gearing

For a 6.7 km climb averaging 6.65% with a 16.57% maximum, gearing is your friend. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette gives most riders enough range to spin the sustained sections without cramping. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at altitude, or simply prefer a higher cadence, step up to a 34×34 — that extra sprocket is exactly what saves your knees when the road hits 16.57%. There is no shame in the easiest gear here; the goal is to keep the pedals turning smoothly rather than muscling a stiff gear up the steepest ramp.

Summary

Coll de Femenia rewards patience. Ride the 6.65% average conservatively, save a match for the 16.57% pitch, and choose gearing that lets you spin all 6.7 km without going into the red. Do that and 444 m of climbing passes far more comfortably than the numbers suggest.

Length: 6.7 km
Average gradient: 6.65%
Max gradient: 16.57%
Start: 95 m
Summit: 539 m
Net gain: 444 m
Total ascent: 427 m
Category: 2