El Paso

Overview

El Paso is a hors catégorie climb, the hardest classification on the scale. Over 17.4 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 981 m to a summit at 2195 m, a net elevation gain of 1214 m. The average gradient sits at 6.97%, which sounds civil until you weigh it against the length: nearly the entire climb hangs at or above a grade that never truly lets you recover. The total ascent of 1175 m confirms this is almost pure upward travel, with only the faintest breaks in the rise. This is a summit finish that earns its HC badge on duration and altitude alike.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 6.97% average across 17.4 km tells you the shape is sustained rather than punchy, but the max gradient of 28.48% warns that the mean hides real teeth. Expect long stretches that hold close to the average, broken by ramps that spike far above it. Because net gain (1214 m) exceeds total ascent (1175 m) only marginally, there is almost no descending to reset your legs — every kilometre you climb, you keep. The thin air near the 2195 m summit compounds the final third: the same wattage buys less speed as you gain altitude, so the closing ramps feel steeper than the numbers alone suggest.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a steady, sustainable percentage of it rather than chasing early splits. If you don't have a current threshold figure, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you start so your target power is honest. With 17.4 km ahead, going out too hard in the opening kilometres will cost you dearly on the pitches that reach 28.48%. Reserve a small buffer for those spikes, spin through them, and settle back onto your steady number once the grade eases. Altitude near the top will quietly shave your ceiling, so plan to finish conservatively rather than red-line the last 981-to-2195 m stretch.

Gearing

For an HC climb of this length with ramps to 28.48%, gear generously. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will carry most riders through the sustained 6.97% sections, but on the steepest pitches you will be grateful for a 34×34 to keep your cadence up and your knees intact. Given the 1214 m of gain and the thin air at 2195 m, err toward the easier ratio — an easy gear you don't use costs nothing, while a missing one can end your climb. If your bike allows it, the 34×34 is the safer choice here.

Summary

El Paso is a genuine HC test: 17.4 km, 1214 m of net gain, a summit at 2195 m, and pitches to 28.48%. Pace to your threshold, gear low, and respect the altitude, and this long, honest climb rewards patience over panic.

Length: 17.4 km
Average gradient: 6.97%
Max gradient: 28.48%
Start: 981 m
Summit: 2195 m
Net gain: 1214 m
Total ascent: 1175 m
Category: HC