Forcela de Salares

Overview

Forcela de Salares is a long, high-altitude Category 1 climb that asks for patience more than raw explosiveness. Over 26 km it lifts you from 1014 m at the foot to 2191 m at the summit, a net elevation gain of 1177 m with 1163 m of total ascent along the way. The average gradient sits at a deceptively gentle 4.53%, but the maximum ramp of 10.57% is more than double that, so the effort is never as even as the headline number suggests. This is a climb where the altitude, the sheer distance, and the accumulated fatigue matter as much as any single steep pitch.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 4.53% average across 26 km tells you this is not a wall — it is a sustained haul. The gap between the 4.53% mean and the 10.57% peak is the whole story here: long stretches of moderate, rhythm-friendly grade punctuated by ramps that briefly more than double the effort. Because net gain (1177 m) slightly exceeds total ascent (1163 m) once rounding is accounted for, expect an almost relentlessly upward road with little to no descending relief to break the tempo. Every kilometre keeps pulling you higher, and the closing section toward 2191 m combines thinning air with legs that have already absorbed most of the day's work.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline in the first half decides how the second half feels. Ride the moderate sections just under your FTP and save headroom for the 10.57% ramps, where surging too hard early will cost you dearly over the remaining distance. Treat the steep pitches as brief overs rather than an invitation to attack — let the grade come to you, then settle back down. If you are unsure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target, because a 26 km effort magnifies every pacing error. At altitude near the 2191 m summit, expect your sustainable power to fade, so budget a slightly softer target for the final kilometres.

Gearing

The 4.53% average is manageable in a broad range of gears, but the 10.57% maximum combined with 26 km of accumulated fatigue is what dictates your setup. For most riders a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get many trained riders over the steepest ramps while keeping a workable cadence on the moderate grade. If you carry less power-to-weight, or simply want to protect your legs across the full 1177 m of climbing, step up to a 34×34 for a lower bailout gear. Spinning is always cheaper than grinding on a climb this sustained.

Summary

Forcela de Salares rewards riders who respect the distance and altitude over those who chase the steep sections. Pace it evenly, gear low enough to keep cadence on the 10.57% ramps, and let the 4.53% average carry you steadily toward the top.

Length: 26 km
Average gradient: 4.53%
Max gradient: 10.57%
Start: 1014 m
Summit: 2191 m
Net gain: 1177 m
Total ascent: 1163 m
Category: 1