Collado de la Palmerica

Overview

The Collado de la Palmerica is a long, patient climb that rewards rhythm over aggression. Over 15.8 km it lifts you from a valley floor at 100 m to a summit of 755 m, a net gain of 655 m. On paper the average gradient of 4.14% reads as gentle, and for long passages it is — but the total ascent of 668 m tells you there is more rolling terrain packed into those kilometres than the net figure alone suggests. Rated category 2, it sits in the middle of the difficulty scale: harder than the short, punchy 3s and 4s, but a step below the sustained walls of a category 1 or an hors catégorie giant. This is a climb you settle into, not one you attack.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining trait of the Palmerica is its length relative to its slope. At 4.14% on average, most of the road tilts up at a grade you can hold in the saddle for a long time. But the numbers hide a spread: with 668 m of total ascent against 655 m of net gain, there are stretches that flatten or even dip, which means the climbing sections must be steeper than the average to compensate. The steepest pitch reaches 11.39% — nearly three times the average — so somewhere on this ascent the road bites hard. Expect the gentle opening kilometres to lull you before the gradient stiffens, with the sharpest ramp likely saved for the upper third as you close on the 755 m summit.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline is everything. Aim to ride the bulk of the 15.8 km just below your threshold, holding a wattage you know you can sustain for the better part of an hour. Anchor that effort to your FTP: the flatter, sub-average sections are where riders bleed time by coasting, while the 11.39% ramp is where over-cooked pacing punishes you. If you don't have a recent threshold figure, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. The goal is to arrive at the steep pitch with something in reserve, not to spend it on the easy early gradient.

Gearing

You do not need extreme gearing for a 4.14% average, but the 11.39% maximum changes the calculation. A compact chainring paired with a wide cassette gives you the range to spin the flatter sections efficiently and still survive the steep ramp. A 34×32 is a sensible baseline for most riders and will get you up cleanly if you're carrying good form. If you're tired, loaded, or simply prefer to keep your cadence high on the 655 m of climbing, a 34×34 buys you extra insurance on the steepest metres without penalty elsewhere.

Summary

The Collado de la Palmerica is a length-first category 2 climb: long, mostly moderate, with one genuine sting near the top. Pace it patiently, gear it generously, and the 755 m summit comes to you.

Length: 15.8 km
Average gradient: 4.14%
Max gradient: 11.39%
Start: 100 m
Summit: 755 m
Net gain: 655 m
Total ascent: 668 m
Category: 2