Joz Pass

Overview

Joz Pass is a Category 2 climb in Spain, running 7 km from a valley floor to a mountain saddle. It gains 517 m net over that distance, starting at 160 m and topping out at a summit elevation of 677 m. On paper it reads as a mid-length climb with a solid but not extreme average gradient of 7.37% — the kind of effort that rewards riders who can hold a steady tempo without blowing up in the first kilometre.

The number that reframes the whole climb is total ascent: 805 m against a net gain of just 517 m. That 288 m gap is the give-back — descents and dips inside the climb that you have to re-climb. Every metre you coast down is a metre you pay for again. Practically, it means the road undulates rather than rising cleanly, so your legs do more work than the net figure suggests. Treat this as an 805 m day, not a 517 m one.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 7.37% average is a blend, not a constant. With 288 m of extra ascent baked in, the profile clearly rolls: stretches where the road eases or briefly tips downhill, separated by sharper kickers that spike well above the mean. The single hardest point hits 19.16% — more than double the average — and that ramp is where most riders over-commit.

• Flatter and downhill recovery sections where you can spin, drink, and reset before the next rise.
• Repeated short climbs stacked back to back, each stealing a little more from your legs.
• One steep ramp at 19.16% that demands your lowest gear and a controlled, seated grind.

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, chase even effort, not even speed. Watching your speed will bait you into hammering the flatter recovery sections and blowing up on the ramps. Anchor your pacing to power instead, holding a sustainable power output through the steep pitches and easing back — not sprinting — across the rollers. Let speed rise and fall while effort stays flat. If you do not know your ceiling, run the FTP estimator beforehand so you have a real target to pace against rather than guessing on the road.

Gearing

The 19.16% maximum gradient governs your setup. That ramp is steep enough to stall an under-geared rider, so bring a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 gives you a bail-out gear to spin the steepest section seated. Check your drivetrain before the ride; the day of a Category 2 climb is the wrong time to discover your smallest gear is too big.

Summary

• Length: 7 km
• Average gradient: 7.37%
• Maximum gradient: 19.16%
• Net elevation gain: 517 m
• Total ascent: 805 m
• Category: 2

Joz Pass rewards riders who respect the gap between its net gain and its total ascent. Pace to power, gear for the 19.16% ramp, and ride the full 805 m rather than the 517 m the map advertises.