Collado de Quebrantaherraduras

Overview

Collado de Quebrantaherraduras is a short, punchy climb that packs a genuine sting into a compact 2.1 km. From a start elevation of 919 m it lifts you to a summit of 1089 m, a net gain of 170 m. That is not a huge amount of vertical, but the average gradient of 7.92% tells you exactly how the distance is spent: there is almost nowhere to hide. Rated category 3, it sits below the marquee HC, 1, and 2 climbs in severity, yet at this steepness a rider still has to commit. The total ascent recorded across the profile is 145 m, a hint that the road climbs steadily rather than rolling up and back down.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining number here is consistency. Averaging 7.92% over 2.1 km means the climb rarely eases into a recovery flat — the slope hovers close to that mean for most of its length. The maximum gradient of 10.11% marks the hardest pinch, only about 2.19 percentage points above the average, which tells you the difficulty is broadly even rather than concentrated in one savage ramp. In practice you should expect a wall that leans on you from the base and holds firm to the top. With just 2.1 km to cover and 170 m to gain, every hundred metres of road is doing real work.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short and steep, pacing is about restraint at the bottom. The temptation is to attack a 2.1 km effort as a sprint, but at 7.92% average the accumulated cost adds up fast. Ride the opening slope a touch below your threshold and let the 10.11% pinch be the place you spend rather than the base. If you know your FTP, aim to sit just under it for the bulk of the climb and lift over the top for the final metres. Not sure of your number? Run a quick check with the FTP estimator before you plan a target. Because the effort lasts only a few minutes for most riders, a steady, slightly-under-threshold pace usually beats an early surge that leaves you crawling the last ramp.

Gearing

At 7.92% average with a 10.11% max, gearing is your best friend on Collado de Quebrantaherraduras. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a wide cassette keeps your cadence spinning rather than grinding. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steepest section without stalling, and it is a sensible baseline for the sustained 7.92% grade. If you prefer to keep your legs fresh, or you are carrying fatigue from a longer ride, drop to a 34×34 for a little extra insurance against the 10.11% pinch. On a climb this steep, the bail-out ratio is never wasted.

Summary

Collado de Quebrantaherraduras is proof that a climb does not need length to earn respect. In 2.1 km it delivers a near-constant 7.92% grade, a 10.11% high point, and 170 m of net gain — short enough to attack, steep enough to punish a bad start. Pace it just under threshold, gear low, and enjoy a summit at 1089 m.

Length: 2.1 km
Average gradient: 7.92%
Max gradient: 10.11%
Start: 919 m
Summit: 1089 m
Net gain: 170 m
Total ascent: 145 m
Category: 3