Cuesta de Chada

Overview

Cuesta de Chada is a category 4 climb that covers 4.1 km at an average gradient of 4.54%. It begins at 414 m and tops out at 600 m, giving a net elevation gain of 186 m. The total ascent recorded along the way is 164 m, a touch less than the net figure, which tells you the road climbs almost continuously rather than rolling up and down. With a maximum gradient of 7.37%, this is a climb that stays firmly within the range most riders can hold a rhythm on. It is short enough to attack and gentle enough to enjoy, making it an ideal effort for building climbing fitness or slotting into a longer day without wrecking the legs.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Cuesta de Chada is its consistency. An average of 4.54% across 4.1 km, with a peak of only 7.37%, means the gradient never spikes into the kind of wall that forces you out of the saddle for survival. The gap between the average and the maximum is modest, so the steepest ramps sit just under three percentage points above the mean. Because the total ascent of 164 m tracks closely with the 186 m net gain, there are no meaningful descents to break the effort or hand back altitude. Expect a road that tilts up early and holds a fairly even pitch, with the harder pinches likely clustered rather than scattered evenly across the full 4.1 km.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this consistent, even pacing pays off. Aim to hold a steady tempo just below or around your threshold rather than surging on the shallower sections. Because the whole climb is only 4.1 km, you can afford to ride it a notch harder than a long alpine pass, but resist going too deep in the first kilometre — the 7.37% pinches reward legs that still have something left. Knowing your FTP makes this straightforward: target a percentage of it you can sustain for the roughly ten-to-fifteen-minute duration this climb demands. If you are not sure where your number sits, run the FTP estimator before your next ride and use it to set a realistic power ceiling for the ascent.

Gearing

For a 4.1 km climb averaging 4.54% with a 7.37% maximum, most riders will be comfortably geared with a compact setup. A 34×32 lowest ratio gives plenty of range to spin over the steepest ramps while keeping a good cadence on the flatter stretches. If you prefer to sit and spin, favour a lighter build, or expect to tackle this climb late in a hard day, a 34×34 offers a welcome extra margin so you never grind at low cadence. Neither is strictly necessary for a fit rider, but having the easier gear in reserve lets you protect your rhythm across the whole 186 m of climbing.

Summary

Cuesta de Chada is an honest, steady category 4 climb: 4.1 km of consistent gradient that rewards even pacing and a compact gearing setup. With no dramatic pitches and a manageable 186 m of gain, it is approachable for developing climbers yet still satisfying to ride at pace.

Length: 4.1 km
Average gradient: 4.54%
Max gradient: 7.37%
Start: 414 m
Summit: 600 m
Net gain: 186 m
Total ascent: 164 m
Category: 4