El Portachuelo

Overview

El Portachuelo is a short, honest climb that rewards steady effort over dramatics. Over 3.3 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 983 m to a summit of 1147 m, a net gain of 164 m. The average gradient sits at a friendly 4.95%, and with a max gradient of just 5.55% the road never spikes into the red. That narrow spread — barely half a percent between the average and the steepest ramp — makes this one of the most consistent climbs you will meet. It earns a category 4 rating, the gentlest rung on the classification ladder, but a well-graded 4 is exactly the kind of climb where you can hone rhythm and pacing without the road punishing every mistake.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape here is the whole story. With an average of 4.95% and a maximum of only 5.55%, El Portachuelo is essentially a single sustained slope rather than a series of walls and lulls. Expect the gradient to settle quickly and hold, drifting only fractionally through the 3.3 km. There is one small quirk in the numbers worth flagging: the total ascent registers as 139 m, while the net elevation gain — the simple difference between the 983 m base and the 1147 m top — is 164 m. That 25 m mismatch tells you the road is not a perfectly clean upward ramp; there is at least a brief false-flat or shallow section that trims the measured climbing. In practice, that means one short stretch where you can breathe, shift up, and carry speed before the grade resumes.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient is so uniform, El Portachuelo is a pure tempo effort — the ideal terrain for holding a target power just under threshold. Aim to ride it close to your FTP rather than surging, since there are no steep pitches that justify going deep into the anaerobic tank. If you do not know your threshold number yet, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go, then pick a wattage you can sustain for the full 3.3 km. Settle in early, use the false-flat section to recover a few watts, and resist the urge to attack the top — at 5.55% max, the summit will not save a rider who blew up at the base.

Gearing

You do not need extreme gearing for a 4.95% average, but comfort still pays off. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 34×32 lowest gear gives most riders plenty of range to spin the sustained slope at a relaxed cadence. If you favour a lighter touch, prefer to stay seated, or you are climbing on tired legs, a 34×34 setup drops the effort further and lets you twiddle up the consistent grade without straining. Either way, the goal is a smooth, high cadence — this climb rewards spinning over grinding.

Summary

El Portachuelo is a clean, confidence-building climb: short, steady, and forgiving. Its tight gradient band makes it perfect for tempo work, and its category 4 billing means you can push hard while still enjoying the road.

Length: 3.3 km
Average gradient: 4.95%
Max gradient: 5.55%
Start: 983 m
Summit: 1147 m
Net gain: 164 m
Total ascent: 139 m
Category: 4