Collado Yeguas

Overview

Collado Yeguas is a 9.3 km category-2 climb that starts at 1054 m and tops out at 1602 m, for a net elevation gain of 548 m. At a 5.91% average gradient it sits squarely in the sustained-effort bracket: steep enough that you'll settle into a rhythm and hold it, but rarely steep enough to force you out of the saddle for long. The total ascent of 537 m confirms this is a mostly one-directional climb, with almost no relief between the base and the summit. It's a climb of patience rather than heroics, rewarding riders who can hold a steady output rather than those who prefer to attack in bursts.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline numbers tell a clear story. With a 5.91% average and a 10.61% maximum, the steepest pitch is roughly 4.7 percentage points harder than the mean. That gap is moderate: this is not a wall-and-flat climb where you swing between extremes, but a consistent grade with a few sharper ramps punctuating it. Spread the 548 m of gain across 9.3 km and the mental model is simple — most of the climb hovers around the average, and the harder sections toward 10.61% are the moments to manage rather than fear. Because total ascent (537 m) tracks so closely with net gain (548 m), you can plan for continuous climbing with no descents to recover on.

Pacing Notes

The steady profile makes Collado Yeguas an ideal climb to ride at threshold. Aim to hold an effort at or just below your FTP for the full 9.3 km, easing slightly on the ramps toward 10.61% so a single steep section doesn't blow your whole climb apart. If you don't know your threshold number, run yours through the FTP estimator before you go, then translate it into a target you can sustain for the roughly half-hour this climb demands. The golden rule on a 5.91% average grade: start a notch easier than feels right. The last kilometres near 1602 m are where a conservative opening pays off, and where an over-eager first half quietly falls apart.

Gearing

For a 548 m climb averaging 5.91% with pitches to 10.61%, most riders will want a compact setup with real bailout range. A 34×32 low gear is the sensible baseline and will carry strong climbers over the steepest ramps while keeping cadence respectable. If you're carrying fatigue, riding at altitude near 1602 m, or simply prefer to spin rather than grind, step down to a 34×34 — that extra sprocket makes the 10.61% sections noticeably more manageable and protects your legs across the full 9.3 km. Err toward the easier option; there's no prize for turning a bigger gear when the climb runs this long.

Summary

Collado Yeguas is a fair, honest category-2 climb: long enough to matter, steady enough to pace well, and topped by ramps just steep enough to keep you honest. Ride it at threshold, gear conservatively, and let the numbers do the work.

Length: 9.3 km
Average gradient: 5.91%
Max gradient: 10.61%
Start: 1054 m
Summit: 1602 m
Net gain: 548 m
Total ascent: 537 m
Category: 2