Collado de Agallares

Overview

Collado de Agallares is a category 4 climb in Spain, running 7km from base to pass. It gains 238m of net elevation, starting at 347m and topping out at 585m. On paper it is a modest ascent, the kind of climb that rewards steady legs rather than an all-out effort, and its category reflects that relatively short, shallow profile.

That said, the numbers hide some texture. The net elevation gain is 238m, but the total ascent is 304m, a difference of 66m. That gap tells you the road undulates: you climb, give some height back, then climb again. The extra 66m of ascent is real work you pay for even though it does not show up in the point-to-point figures, so the effort is a little higher than the 3.42% average suggests.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An average gradient of 3.42% across 7km makes this sound like a false flat, but averages flatten out the story. With a maximum gradient of 11.9%, there is at least one pitch here that is properly steep, and the undulation means the road rarely settles into one rhythm.

• Flatter and recovery sections where the gradient drops toward or below the average, letting you spin and eat.
• Repeated short rises rather than one continuous slope, consistent with the 66m of extra ascent beyond the net gain.
• A steepest ramp hitting 11.9%, short but sharp enough to force a gear change and spike your effort.

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, chasing an even speed is a trap: you will overcook the 11.9% ramp trying to hold your flat-section pace, then arrive at the top cooked. Aim instead for even effort. Hold a steady sustainable power output through the whole climb, letting your speed rise on the flatter sections and fall on the steep ones.

If you do not know your numbers, run the FTP estimator first so you have a target to pace against. Give a little back on the recovery sections rather than pushing the descents hard, and save your matches for the steep ramp near your limit.

Gearing

The 11.9% maximum is the number that should govern your gearing choice. It is not brutal, but on tired legs a short 11.9% pitch punishes anyone geared for the flat. A compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette, something like 34×32 or 34×34, gives you a bailout gear to spin the steep ramp instead of grinding it. Check your setup before the ride so you are not caught over-geared on the day.

Summary

• Length: 7km
• Average gradient: 3.42%
• Maximum gradient: 11.9%
• Net elevation gain: 238m
• Total ascent: 304m
• Category: 4

Collado de Agallares is a short climb with a deceptively gentle average. Respect the 66m of undulation and the 11.9% ramp, pace by effort rather than speed, and carry the gearing to spin the steep section.