El Peraldón

Overview

El Peraldón is a compact category 3 climb that packs a genuine effort into just 4.3 km. From a base at 440 m, the road rises to a summit of 690 m, delivering a net elevation gain of 250 m at an average gradient of 5.85%. The steepest ramp tips to 7.06%, so while this never crosses into the brutal territory of a category 1 or hors catégorie ascent, it is far from a soft pedal. Think of it as a climb you can push near your limit precisely because it is short enough to hold that pressure the whole way up.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The numbers tell a tidy story. With an average of 5.85% and a maximum of 7.06%, the spread between typical and hardest is modest — only about 1.21% separates the mean from the peak. That means El Peraldón is a remarkably consistent climb, without the wild swings of gradient that force repeated surges. The 250 m of net gain across 4.3 km confirms a steady, honest incline rather than a series of walls and false flats. Expect the road to settle into its rhythm early and hold a gradient close to that 5.85% average for most of its length, nudging toward 7.06% on the firmest section before easing to the top.

Pacing Notes

Because the climb is short and steady, El Peraldón rewards a disciplined, near-threshold effort. Aim to ride the bulk of it right around your FTP, letting the effort tick slightly above on the 7.06% pinch and recovering only briefly as the gradient relaxes near the summit. At 4.3 km, this is a sustained push of roughly ten to twenty minutes for most riders, which sits squarely in the range where holding threshold pays off. If you are unsure where your threshold lies, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target, then pace to power rather than feel on the lower slopes where enthusiasm can burn matches early.

Gearing

For a 5.85% average topping out at 7.06%, most riders will be comfortable on standard compact gearing. A 34×32 lowest ratio gives ample spinning room to keep cadence high through the steepest 7.06% section without grinding. If you favor climbing seated at a smoother cadence, or you are carrying fatigue from a longer ride, stepping to a 34×34 buys extra insurance and keeps your legs fresh across the full 4.3 km. Neither is overkill on a 250 m gain — the goal is to protect cadence so you can hold that threshold effort rather than muscle through in too big a gear.

Summary

El Peraldón is a short, consistent category 3 climb that flatters a strong steady effort: 4.3 km at 5.85% with a manageable 7.06% maximum and 250 m of net gain. Pace it near threshold, gear it to spin, and it becomes one of the more satisfying efforts you can log in under twenty minutes.

Length: 4.3 km
Average gradient: 5.85%
Max gradient: 7.06%
Start: 440 m
Summit: 690 m
Net gain: 250 m
Total ascent: 230 m
Category: 3