Collado de la Majada del Moral

Overview

The Collado de la Majada del Moral is a Category 2 climb that packs a genuine punch into a compact 5.8 km. From a start elevation of 595 m it lifts you to a summit of 1004 m, a net gain of 409 m over ground that rarely lets you breathe. The average gradient of 7.04% already tells you this is a sustained effort rather than a rolling drag, and with a maximum pitch of 14.33% there is a moment where the road turns genuinely mean. It is not the longest climb you will meet, but at just under 6 km of consistent steepness it earns every bit of its category.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency. Averaging 7.04% across 5.8 km means there is very little flat to recover on — the climb is essentially one long, honest ascent that keeps its foot on your chest. The gap between the 7.04% average and the 14.33% maximum is the number to respect: roughly 7% of extra gradient concentrated in the hardest ramps. When you hit that 14.33% pitch, expect your cadence to collapse and your speed to drop hard. Because the net gain of 409 m is delivered so evenly, you cannot bank a huge cushion of momentum on easier sections and coast through the steep bits. Read the road ahead, and treat any short easing as a place to reset your legs before the gradient bites again.

Pacing Notes

Consistency in the climb demands consistency from you. Because there is no long recovery, going into the red early on a 5.8 km climb like this is punishing — you simply have nowhere to recover. Aim to hold a steady effort just under your threshold, then spend your matches only on the 14.33% ramp. Pacing this well is really a question of knowing your sustainable power. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a percentage of it you can sustain for the full climb. If you are unsure of your number, run the FTP estimator first, then set a target you can defend all the way from 595 m to the 1004 m summit.

Gearing

On a climb averaging 7.04% with spikes to 14.33%, gearing is what keeps your cadence — and your legs — alive. A compact 34-tooth chainring is the sensible front choice for most riders. Pair it with a 34×32 if you have strong climbing legs and want to push a slightly bigger gear on the steady 7% sections. If the 14.33% ramp worries you, or you simply want to spin rather than grind, go for a 34×34, which gives you a true 1:1 bailout to protect your knees over the full 409 m of gain. Either way, favour a gear that lets you sit and turn a smooth cadence rather than one that forces you out of the saddle before the steepest pitch.

Summary

The Collado de la Majada del Moral is a short but uncompromising Category 2 test: 5.8 km of sustained 7.04% climbing with a stinging 14.33% maximum, delivering 409 m of net gain from base to summit. Pace it steadily, gear it generously, and save your effort for the ramp.

Length: 5.8 km
Average gradient: 7.04%
Max gradient: 14.33%
Start: 595 m
Summit: 1004 m
Net gain: 409 m
Total ascent: 386 m
Category: 2