Collado del Muerto

Overview

Collado del Muerto is a category 1 climb that stretches 14.6 km from a base at 674 m to a summit of 1490 m. That is 816 m of net elevation gain, with 804 m of total ascent packed into the ride up. The 5.58% average gradient sits squarely in the range where a climb is relentless without ever being a wall — long enough to demand real endurance, steady enough that you can find a rhythm and hold it. With a max gradient of 14.17%, though, there is at least one moment where that rhythm gets torn apart.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 5.58% average and the 14.17% max tells the story of this climb's shape. If the whole 14.6 km were pitched at the average, you would settle in and tick off the kilometres. Instead, the near-identical net gain (816 m) and total ascent (804 m) confirm there is almost no relief — you climb essentially the entire way, with barely any flat or descending sections to bank recovery.

That means the steep ramp toward 14.17% is not offset elsewhere; it is layered on top of an already-honest grade. Expect the effort to concentrate where the road kicks up well above 5.58%, forcing you out of the saddle or deep into your reserves. Between those spikes, the climb returns to its sustainable middle, but never truly eases.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this length, pacing is everything. The temptation is to chase the average gradient hard from 674 m, but the 14.17% pitches punish anyone who arrives at them already redlined. Anchor your effort to your sustainable power: riding just below FTP on the 5.58% sections leaves headroom to absorb the steep ramps without blowing up.

If you do not know your threshold, work it out before you commit to a target — the FTP estimator will give you a number to pace against. Treat the steep sections as short overloads to survive, then settle back to your baseline as the gradient relaxes. Over 14.6 km and 816 m of gain, consistency beats heroics every time.

Gearing

For a 14.6 km climb averaging 5.58% with ramps to 14.17%, gearing that spins is worth far more than gearing that grinds. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring is the sensible starting point. Pair it with a 34×32 for most riders — that gives enough range to keep cadence up through the sustained middle of the climb.

If you are less of a climber, or simply want to protect your legs across all 816 m of gain, step up to a 34×34. The extra sprocket makes the 14.17% pitches manageable seated, which matters when you still have kilometres to go at the top.

Summary

Collado del Muerto is a long, honest category 1 climb: 14.6 km at 5.58% with almost no respite, a single sting at 14.17%, and 816 m of vertical between base and summit. Pace it below threshold, gear it to spin, and it rewards patience.

Length: 14.6 km
Average gradient: 5.58%
Max gradient: 14.17%
Start: 674 m
Summit: 1490 m
Net gain: 816 m
Total ascent: 804 m
Category: 1