Collado del Garroferal

Overview

Collado del Garroferal is a compact climb that rewards a bold approach. At just 1.5 km with an average gradient of 5.57%, it belongs firmly in the category-4 bracket — the gentlest of the graded tiers, but never a freebie. The road starts low, at only 11 m of elevation, and tops out at 96 m, for a net gain of 85 m. That combination of brevity and a moderate, consistent pitch makes it a climb you can attack rather than merely survive. There is little room to hide here: at this length, every choice you make in the opening metres echoes all the way to the top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Garroferal is its evenness. With an average of 5.57% and a maximum of 5.98%, the difference between the mean and the steepest section is well under half a percent — the road never bites much harder than it does on average. That means no cruel surprises, no wall that shatters your rhythm, just a steady incline that holds its shape from bottom to top. The recorded total ascent of 69 m against a net gain of 85 m confirms a clean, largely uninterrupted rise rather than a rollercoaster of dips and kicks. Treat the whole 1.5 km as one sustained effort; the gradient asks for consistency, not tactics.

Pacing Notes

Because the climb is so short and so uniform, it is effectively a threshold-to-supra-threshold effort. Ride it just above your FTP and you can hold that intensity for the full 1.5 km without blowing up before the 96 m summit. If you do not yet know your sustainable power, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first, then commit to a pace you can defend from the 11 m base to the top. The steepest pitch of 5.98% is close enough to the 5.57% average that you can settle into one gear and one cadence early — the smoother your effort, the faster your time up such a brief, consistent ramp.

Gearing

For a climb this short with a maximum around 5.98%, most riders will be comfortable on standard compact gearing. A 34×32 is plenty for spinning the 5.57% average at a lively cadence, and it keeps you from over-gearing an effort that only lasts 85 m of vertical. If you prefer to keep your legs fresh for repeats, or you are riding tired, a 34×34 gives a touch more headroom without ever feeling like overkill on a category-4 pitch. Either setup lets you focus on rhythm rather than grinding.

Summary

Collado del Garroferal is a fast, honest little climb: 1.5 km, an even 5.57% average, and no nasty spikes above 5.98%. Rising from 11 m to 96 m for 85 m of net gain, it is a perfect candidate for a threshold effort or a punchy interval. Pick your gear, settle in, and drive to the top.

Length: 1.5 km
Average gradient: 5.57%
Max gradient: 5.98%
Start: 11 m
Summit: 96 m
Net gain: 85 m
Total ascent: 69 m
Category: 4