Degollada de los Hornos

Overview

The Degollada de los Hornos is a genuine hors catégorie test of endurance. At 34.8 km, it is less a climb than an expedition, starting almost at sea level (25 m) and topping out at 1724 m. That is a net gain of 1699 m, with the total ascent reaching 1847 m once the small dips and false flats along the way are counted. The average gradient of 4.88% sounds gentle, but over this distance the numbers are ruthless: you simply cannot escape the road for well over an hour, and the maximum pitch of 13.97% guarantees the legs never fully settle into a rhythm.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.88% average and the 13.97% maximum tells the story. This is not a uniform grind at a fixed angle — it is a climb of texture. Long, moderate stretches allow you to build momentum, but they are punctuated by sharp ramps that jump toward and beyond 13%. The 148 m difference between net gain (1699 m) and total ascent (1847 m) confirms there are descents and flat sections woven in, meaning the true climbing segments must be steeper than the average implies. Expect to spend long periods just under the average, then repeatedly surrender that easy rhythm to short, steep walls before the road relents again.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline wins. The single biggest mistake is chasing the moderate lower slopes and arriving at the steep ramps already in the red. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a sustainable percentage of it across the full 34.8 km rather than surging. If you are unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to the day. Treat the 13.97% pitches as brief overdrafts — accept a short spike, then recover on the shallower gradients rather than trying to smooth the whole 1699 m of gain into one flat number. With 1847 m of total ascent, patience banked early pays back with interest near 1724 m.

Gearing

Distance plus double-digit ramps means you want compact gearing with a wide-range cassette. A 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is the sensible baseline for most riders here, giving you a spinnable option for the sustained sections. But because the maximum touches 13.97% and fatigue will be deep by the time those ramps arrive after 1699 m of climbing, a 34×34 is well worth fitting. That extra sprocket is cheap insurance against grinding to a standstill on a late steep pitch — on an HC climb of this length, err toward more range, not less.

Summary

The Degollada de los Hornos rewards riders who respect its length. Meter out your effort, gear low, and let the 4.88% average carry you toward a hard-earned 1724 m summit.

Length: 34.8 km
Average gradient: 4.88%
Max gradient: 13.97%
Start: 25 m
Summit: 1724 m
Net gain: 1699 m
Total ascent: 1847 m
Category: HC