Collado de Juan Toribio

Overview

Collado de Juan Toribio is a genuine hors catégorie ascent, and the numbers leave no room for doubt. Over 20.5 km it climbs from a start elevation of 221 m to a summit at 1838 m, averaging 7.89% the whole way. That average alone would earn most climbs an HC label, but here it is stretched across more than twenty kilometres, giving a net elevation gain of 1617 m and a total ascent of 1575 m. This is not a climb you attack; it is one you survive intelligently.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The story of Juan Toribio is written in its consistency. A 7.89% average sustained over 20.5 km means there is very little respite — you rarely drop into the numbers where you can recover, and the pitches that spike toward the 20% maximum arrive without much warning. The small gap between the net gain of 1617 m and the total ascent of 1575 m tells you the profile barely dips; there are almost no descending or flat sections to give your legs a break. Expect the road to sit stubbornly in the high single digits for long stretches, punctuated by ramps that force you out of the saddle. Because the summit sits at 1838 m, the upper third of the climb also thins the air, so the effort that felt sustainable low down grows heavier as you approach the top.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold it steady rather than chasing the steep ramps. A 20.5 km ascent at 7.89% is well beyond a threshold-length effort, so most riders should settle just below FTP for the bulk of the climb and reserve any surges for the 20% pitches, where staying seated becomes impossible. If you are unsure what wattage you can hold for this duration, run the numbers first with the FTP estimator and set realistic band targets before you start. Fuelling matters just as much: with 1617 m of vertical to grind through, going into the red early on the lower slopes will cost you dearly near the 1838 m summit.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. For an HC climb averaging 7.89% with ramps to 20%, most riders will want a compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette. A 34×32 is the sensible minimum, and it gives you a fighting chance on the steady middle slopes. But given the length and the 20% maximum, a 34×34 is the smarter choice — that extra sprocket lets you keep a spinnable cadence when the road kicks up late in the climb, protecting your legs across the full 20.5 km. Fresh legs might manage the 34×32; tired ones, or anyone riding conservatively, will be grateful for the 34×34.

Summary

Collado de Juan Toribio is a long, relentless HC climb that rewards patience, smart pacing, and forgiving gearing. Get your effort and your cassette right, and the 1838 m summit is yours.

Length: 20.5 km
Average gradient: 7.89%
Max gradient: 20%
Start: 221 m
Summit: 1838 m
Net gain: 1617 m
Total ascent: 1575 m
Category: HC