Collet dels Plans

Overview

Collet dels Plans is a short, forgiving climb that rewards rhythm over raw power. At just 3.5 km with an average gradient of 3.54%, it sits firmly in category 4 territory — the mildest of the graded climbs, well below the demands of an HC ascent. The road lifts from a start elevation of 288 m to a summit of 412 m, a net elevation gain of 124 m. The total ascent measured along the road comes in at 111 m, which tells you the profile isn't perfectly monotonic: there are a few flatter or slightly downhill sags where the road gives a little back before climbing again.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With a 3.54% average and a maximum gradient of just 5.27%, this is a climb without cruelty. The spread between average and max is only 1.73 percentage points, so there are no wall-like ramps waiting to break your cadence. Expect a consistent, low-single-digit incline for most of the 3.5 km, with the steepest pitch nudging toward 5.27% somewhere along the way rather than saving a sting for the top. Because the total ascent (111 m) is slightly less than the net gain (124 m) suggests over a purely uphill road, you can anticipate a couple of brief respites where the gradient eases — moments to recover legs and shift into a bigger gear before the road tilts up once more.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this gentle, the smart approach is steady effort rather than surges. Aim to settle just below your threshold and hold it — around your FTP or a touch under is sustainable for a 3.5 km effort like this. If you don't know your threshold power, the FTP estimator will give you a working number to pace against. Because the average is only 3.54%, momentum matters more here than on steeper climbs: carry speed through the flatter sags rather than freewheeling, and you'll shave real time off the 412 m summit. Riders chasing a fast time should treat the whole 3.5 km as a single sustained tempo effort, easing only to reset breathing on the softer sections.

Gearing

You do not need mountain gearing for Collet dels Plans. With a max of 5.27% and an average of 3.54%, a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 32-tooth cassette sprocket — a 34×32 — is more than enough for almost every rider to spin comfortably. If you prefer to keep cadence high on tired legs or you're carrying luggage, a 34×34 gives an extra margin without any downside. Honestly, most fit riders will rarely leave the middle of the cassette on a climb this shallow, but having 34×32 or 34×34 in reserve means you can stay seated and spin rather than grind.

Summary

Collet dels Plans is an approachable warm-up-style climb: short, steady, and never steep enough to blow you apart. It's a great segment for practising a controlled tempo effort or building climbing rhythm without the punishment of a category 1 or HC monster.

Length: 3.5 km
Average gradient: 3.54%
Max gradient: 5.27%
Start: 288 m
Summit: 412 m
Net gain: 124 m
Total ascent: 111 m
Category: 4