Coll de la Palomera

Overview

Coll de la Palomera is a short climb that hits hard. Over just 2.6 km it averages 8.7%, and that average is not softened by any long flat stretches — this is a compact, relentless effort from bottom to top. You start at 152 m and top out at 381 m, a net gain of 229 m packed into a climb you could ride in well under half an hour but will remember for a lot longer. Its category 3 rating undersells the sting: on the four-point scale (HC hardest, then 1, 2, 3, 4), category 3 signals a manageable duration, but an 8.7% average with a 14.94% peak means there is nowhere to hide.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining number here is the gap between the average and the maximum. An 8.7% mean is already steep enough to force a steady grind, but the 14.94% max — more than six points above average — tells you the road is not uniform. Expect the pitch to swing above and below that 8.7% line, with at least one wall approaching 15% that will spike your heart rate and empty your legs if you have overcooked the lower slopes. The 229 m of net elevation gain over 2.6 km leaves no room for recovery: there is no false flat to spin out and shake the legs loose. Treat every metre as climbing, because it is.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short and steep, pacing is about restraint at the bottom. The temptation is to attack the opening ramps, but with a 14.94% pitch waiting, you want to arrive there with reserves. Ride the lower gradients at or just below your FTP, then allow a controlled surge over the steepest wall — a climb of 2.6 km is short enough to run slightly above threshold if you are fit and know your numbers. If you are unsure where your threshold sits, run the FTP estimator before you commit to a target power. The goal is a smooth effort that peaks over the hardest section rather than fading into it.

Gearing

With an 8.7% average and a 14.94% max over 2.6 km, gearing matters more than raw fitness for most riders. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette gives most amateurs enough range to keep cadence over the steepest pitch without grinding to a stall. If you are a heavier rider, carrying luggage, or simply want to keep the effort aerobic, a 34×34 buys you a little extra breathing room on that near-15% wall. There is no shame in spinning here — on a climb where the max is nearly double the average, a bailout gear turns a survival grind into a rhythm you can actually hold.

Summary

Coll de la Palomera is a short climb with a big bite: 2.6 km, 8.7% average, and a 14.94% max that defines the whole experience. Pace the lower slopes with discipline, gear low enough to spin the wall, and you will crest the 381 m summit with something left. Punchy, honest, and never dull.

Length: 2.6 km
Average gradient: 8.7%
Max gradient: 14.94%
Start: 152 m
Summit: 381 m
Net gain: 229 m
Total ascent: 207 m
Category: 3