Coll de Gipó

Overview

Coll de Gipó is a category 3 climb that packs a real bite into a compact package. Over 5.2 km it averages 6.05%, lifting you from a start elevation of 216 m to a summit at 531 m. That works out to a net elevation gain of 315 m, with a total ascent of 304 m once the brief flatter breaths along the way are accounted for. The headline number, though, is the 11.14% maximum gradient — a pitch steep enough to reshape how you plan the entire effort. This is not a climb you can sleepwalk up; the average alone would keep most riders honest, and the steepest ramp demands respect regardless of your form on the day.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The story of Gipó is written in the gap between its average and its maximum. A 6.05% mean over 5.2 km is a steady, sustained load, but the 11.14% peak tells you the road is not uniform. Expect the gradient to swing above and below that average, with the hardest ramp coming as a sharp spike rather than a long wall. The difference between the 315 m net gain and the 304 m total ascent is small, which confirms there is very little downhill relief once you start — the road tilts up and mostly stays there. Treat the average as your baseline and brace for the moments the road rears toward that double-digit max.

Pacing Notes

Because Gipó is short but relentless, pacing is about staying just under your ceiling for the full 5.2 km. Ride the first stretch a touch below your threshold so you have headroom for the 11.14% ramp — going into the red early on a climb this steep is expensive to recover from. A good target is to hold an effort you can sustain around your FTP, backing off slightly on the shallower sections and letting your cadence drop, not your power, when the gradient bites. If you are unsure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you tackle it. On a 315 m gain, small pacing errors compound quickly, so smooth beats spiky every time.

Gearing

With an average of 6.05% and a max of 11.14%, gearing is what separates a controlled climb from a grind. A compact 34-tooth inner ring is the sensible starting point. Paired with a 34×32, most fit riders will spin the steeper ramps without grinding to a crawl, keeping cadence high enough to protect the legs across the full 5.2 km. If you favour a lighter touch or arrive with fatigue in your legs, a 34×34 gives you that extra margin for the 11.14% pitch, letting you sit and spin rather than stand and strain. Either way, prioritise a bailout gear that keeps you turning the pedals cleanly when the road is at its steepest.

Summary

Coll de Gipó rewards riders who pace with discipline and gear conservatively. It is short at 5.2 km, but the 6.05% average and 11.14% max make every metre count on the way to the 531 m summit.

Length: 5.2 km
Average gradient: 6.05%
Max gradient: 11.14%
Start: 216 m
Summit: 531 m
Net gain: 315 m
Total ascent: 304 m
Category: 3