Collado Ventoso

Overview

Collado Ventoso is a long, patient climb: 23.9 km of road that lifts you from a start elevation of 962 m to a summit at 1901 m. That is a net gain of 939 m, spread thinly enough that the average gradient sits at just 3.92%. On paper it reads gentle, and for long stretches it is. But length is its own difficulty, and the total ascent of 992 m — a touch more than the net figure, thanks to small dips and recoveries along the way — means you are working almost continuously for the better part of an hour or more. This is a Category 2 climb: not the hardest tier, but far from trivial, and the sort of ascent that rewards discipline over ambition.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to respect is the max gradient of 10.63%. That is nearly three times the average, so the climb is not evenly pitched — the modest 3.92% mean is the product of long shallow sections balanced against sharper ramps. Expect the road to lull you into a comfortable cadence, then tilt upward without much warning. Because the elevation profile only asks for 939 m of net gain across 23.9 km, the shallow portions can feel almost flat, which makes the steeper kicks feel harsher by contrast. Read the road ahead and treat every ramp toward that 10.63% figure as a moment to shift early rather than muscle through.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing beats power. Settle into an effort you can hold for the full 23.9 km rather than chasing the shallow sections. A good anchor is your FTP — hold comfortably below it on the gentle grades so you have headroom when the gradient spikes toward 10.63%. If you do not know your number, run it through the FTP estimator before you ride so your target watts are realistic. The danger here is spending too freely early, when 962 m of starting altitude still feels easy, and paying for it in the final kilometres approaching 1901 m.

Gearing

With an average of 3.92% you will spin easily most of the time, but the 10.63% max and the sheer 23.9 km length argue for a bailout gear. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible choice. A 34×32 will carry most riders comfortably across the shallow gradients and handle the steeper ramps if your legs are fresh. If you tend to climb at a low cadence, prefer a slow grind, or expect to arrive at the steep sections already fatigued from the 992 m of total ascent, step up to a 34×34 for extra margin. Better to have the gear and not need it.

Summary

Collado Ventoso is an endurance climb first and a steepness test second: 23.9 km of steady work to 1901 m, with a single sharp 10.63% teeth to catch the careless. Pace it, gear it, and it becomes a rewarding day.

Length: 23.9 km
Average gradient: 3.92%
Max gradient: 10.63%
Start: 962 m
Summit: 1901 m
Net gain: 939 m
Total ascent: 992 m
Category: 2