Collado de Anguta

Overview

The Collado de Anguta is a long, patient category 3 climb that trades brutal steepness for endurance. Across 13.7 km you gain 509 m of net elevation, rising from a base at 228 m to a summit of 737 m. The average gradient of 3.71% reads gentle on paper, and for long stretches it is — but the arithmetic hides a sharper story. This is a climb you settle into rather than attack, where the challenge is managing effort over distance rather than surviving a single wall.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to respect is the 13.71% maximum. That figure sits well above the 3.71% average, which tells you the climb is uneven: shallow, almost flat sections offset by steeper pitches that spike the effort. With only 480 m of total ascent recorded against 509 m of net gain, there is little to no descending mixed in — the road climbs steadily and rarely gives elevation back. Expect a rhythm of easy tempo interrupted by short ramps that force you out of the saddle or down a couple of gears before the grade relents again. The steepest pitch is brief, but at 13.71% it will feel disproportionate after kilometres of soft-pedalling.

Pacing Notes

Because the average is modest, the temptation is to ride the whole climb hard. Resist it. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a steady tempo through the flatter kilometres, saving matches for the ramps toward the 13.71% pitch. If you go too deep early, the gentle grade offers no recovery — you simply keep climbing at threshold with nowhere to hide. Aim to sit just under threshold on the shallow sections and allow the effort to rise on the steep ramps, then ease back as the grade drops. If you are unsure of your threshold power, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your effort. Over 13.7 km, consistency beats heroics every time.

Gearing

Nothing here demands the absolute smallest gears, but the 13.71% ramp is enough to punish an over-tall setup, especially deep into the climb when your legs are already loaded. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible choice. A 34×32 will handle the steep pitch for most riders with reasonable fitness, keeping your cadence high enough to spin rather than grind. If you are carrying fatigue, riding a loaded bike, or simply prefer to protect your knees over 13.7 km, a 34×34 gives you extra headroom on that 13.71% section without any real downside on the flatter stretches. Err toward the easier ratio — a spare gear you never use costs nothing.

Summary

The Collado de Anguta rewards patience and rhythm. It is a long category 3 effort where the modest 3.71% average masks a 13.71% sting, and where smart pacing off your threshold makes the difference between a comfortable climb and a slow unravelling. Gear low, ride steady, and let the distance come to you.

Length: 13.7 km
Average gradient: 3.71%
Max gradient: 13.71%
Start: 228 m
Summit: 737 m
Net gain: 509 m
Total ascent: 480 m
Category: 3