Collado de las Lagunillas

Overview

Collado de las Lagunillas is a short, honest category 4 climb that never overwhelms you but never quite lets you coast either. Over 4.3 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 349 m to a 542 m summit, a net gain of 193 m at an average gradient of 4.48%. The steepest pitch tops out at 6.02%, so there are no genuine wall sections here — just a steady, rolling drag that rewards rhythm over raw power. With a total ascent of 169 m recorded across the profile, the road gives a little back in places, which tells you the climb is not a single uninterrupted ramp but a sequence of pushes and brief reliefs.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.48% average and the 6.02% maximum is small, and that narrow band is the defining feature of this climb. You are rarely far from the average. Expect the gradient to hover in the mid-single digits for most of the 4.3 km, tipping toward 6% on the harder ramps and easing off where the road briefly flattens or dips. Because the net gain of 193 m slightly exceeds the total ascent figure of 169 m, the profile is not perfectly smooth — there are short recovery segments where you can breathe, shift up, and reset your cadence before the next rise. Ride it as a series of controlled efforts rather than one long grind.

Pacing Notes

At this length and gradient, Collado de las Lagunillas is a tempo climb: sustainable, threshold-adjacent effort rather than an all-out anaerobic gamble. The whole thing sits comfortably below the point where you would blow up, so the smart play is to settle in just under your FTP and hold it steady across the full 4.3 km. If you do not know your threshold power, run your numbers through the FTP estimator first so you can pick a target wattage instead of guessing. Save a little for the 6.02% ramps, keep your cadence high on the flatter recovery stretches, and you will crest the 542 m summit with something left in the tank.

Gearing

Because the maximum gradient stays at a manageable 6.02%, you do not need ultra-low ratios to survive this climb. A compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is more than enough. A 34×32 will handle the steepest pitches with room to spin, which suits stronger riders who want to stay seated and drive a firm tempo. If you prefer to keep your cadence up, protect your legs on a longer day, or you are riding a loaded bike, drop to a 34×34 for a touch more comfort on the 6% sections. Either setup lets you focus on rhythm rather than wrestling the gear.

Summary

Collado de las Lagunillas is an approachable, tempo-friendly climb that suits riders building form or warming up for bigger objectives. Short enough to attack, long enough to matter, it rewards a steady, well-paced effort from bottom to top.

Length: 4.3 km
Average gradient: 4.48%
Max gradient: 6.02%
Start: 349 m
Summit: 542 m
Net gain: 193 m
Total ascent: 169 m
Category: 4