Collado Zardón

Overview

Collado Zardón is a compact Spanish climb that rewards rhythm over drama. Over 5 km the road lifts you from a start elevation of 99 m to a summit of 300 m, a net elevation gain of 201 m. The recorded total ascent is 178 m, a touch under the net figure — a sign of a road that tips upward almost the whole way, with only the faintest dips to interrupt the effort. The average gradient sits at 4.02%, and the steepest pitch touches 7.16%. That earns it a category 4 rating: the gentlest of the classified tiers (HC, then 1, 2, 3, 4), but still a genuine, sustained effort rather than a passing rise.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The story here is consistency. With an average of 4.02% spread across the full 5 km, there are no long flat reprieves and no wall to break your cadence for more than a moment. The gap between the average (4.02%) and the maximum (7.16%) is modest — roughly three percentage points — which tells you the climb never lurches into brutal territory. Expect a road that mostly hovers around its average, stiffening toward 7.16% on its hardest ramp before settling again. Because total ascent (178 m) trails net gain (201 m), the profile is honest and forward-leaning: what you climb, you keep. There is no false summit giving back your hard-won metres.

Pacing Notes

A climb this steady is perfect for holding a single, controlled effort. Because the gradient rarely spikes above 7.16%, you can lock in an even power number and let it carry you the full 5 km rather than surging and fading. Aim to ride the whole ascent just under or around your threshold — comfortably below your FTP if you have more climbing ahead, or right at it if Zardón is the day's centrepiece. If you are unsure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you set your target. With only 201 m of net gain, the climb is short enough that misjudging your pace costs you little, but a smooth, metronomic tempo will always beat a ragged one here.

Gearing

For a 4.02% average topping out at 7.16%, most riders will be comfortable on standard road gearing. A compact chainring paired with a 34×32 bottom gear gives you ample room to spin the steeper ramp without grinding, and it keeps your cadence lively across the easier stretches. If you prefer to sit and spin, or you are carrying fatigue from earlier climbing, a 34×34 adds a little extra insurance for the 7.16% pitch. Neither is strictly necessary on a category 4 climb of this length, but the wider range lets you protect your legs over the full 5 km.

Summary

Collado Zardón is an approachable, rhythm-friendly climb: 5 km at a steady 4.02%, never harsher than 7.16%, lifting you a clean 201 m from valley to col. Ride it smooth and it slips past quickly.

Length: 5 km
Average gradient: 4.02%
Max gradient: 7.16%
Start: 99 m
Summit: 300 m
Net gain: 201 m
Total ascent: 178 m
Category: 4