Entoto

Overview

Entoto is a short, honest Category 4 climb that rewards rhythm over heroics. Over 2.9 km it lifts you from 2475 m to 2591 m, a net gain of 116 m at an average gradient of 4.07%. The total ascent tallies to 109 m, a touch less than the net figure — a sign that the road climbs almost continuously rather than sawing up and down with false flats and dips. What makes Entoto distinctive is not brutal steepness but altitude: everything here happens above 2400 m, where thinner air quietly taxes the legs and lungs on gradients that would feel gentle at sea level.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The numbers tell a clean story. With an average of 4.07% and a maximum of just 7.57%, Entoto never spikes into the red. The gap between average and max is modest, which means the climb holds a fairly consistent pitch from bottom to top rather than hiding one savage wall. Expect long stretches sitting close to the mean, with the steepest ramp — that 7.57% pinch — arriving as a brief lift rather than a sustained grind. Because total ascent (109 m) sits just below net gain (116 m), there is very little downhill respite; the road simply keeps tilting upward, so your effort stays steady and unbroken across the full 2.9 km.

Pacing Notes

This is a climb to ride on feel and numbers. At 4.07% average, a strong rider will spin up Entoto well below threshold, but the altitude means your usable power sits lower than usual, so pace to your legs, not your ego. Target an effort just under your FTP and hold it — the 7.57% max is short enough to absorb without a big surge, so avoid the temptation to attack it and pay for it in the final metres. If you are unsure where your ceiling sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace. With only 116 m to gain, the whole effort is over quickly; the goal is a smooth, even burn from 2475 m to 2591 m rather than a series of spikes.

Gearing

Entoto does not demand exotic gearing. For most riders a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 32-tooth largest sprocket — a 34×32 — gives ample range for the 4.07% average and the brief 7.57% max, letting you keep cadence high and pressure low. If you carry extra weight, ride tired, or simply want to protect your legs at altitude, stepping to a 34×34 buys a little more spin without any downside on a climb this short. Either setup lets you sit and turn a comfortable cadence the whole way rather than mashing.

Summary

Entoto is a fast, rhythm-friendly Cat 4 climb where the altitude does more work than the gradient. Ride it smooth, respect the thin air, and it will feel over almost before it begins.

Length: 2.9 km
Average gradient: 4.07%
Max gradient: 7.57%
Start: 2475 m
Summit: 2591 m
Net gain: 116 m
Total ascent: 109 m
Category: 4