La Faya de los Lobos

Overview

La Faya de los Lobos is a category 3 climb that runs 8.2 km from a valley floor at 275 m up to a summit at 641 m. On paper it is a moderate ascent: the average gradient sits at 4.48%, and the net elevation gain is 366 m. But averages hide the story here. With a max gradient of 12.82%, the climb packs steep, leg-loading pitches into an otherwise steady profile — the kind of road where the number on your computer keeps drifting up and down rather than settling into one rhythm.

At 8.2 km it is long enough to demand patience but short enough to ride hard if you judge the effort well. This is a climb that rewards riders who resist the urge to chase the steep ramps and instead treat the whole 366 m of vertical as one sustained project.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.48% average and the 12.82% maximum is the defining feature. Total ascent comes in at 357 m against a net gain of 366 m, meaning the road climbs almost continuously with only the faintest respite — there are no significant descents to give your legs a break and reset.

Practically, that tells you the difficulty is front-and-centre rather than hidden in flat run-ins. Expect the gradient to swing between easy stretches near or below the 4.48% average and sharp kicks that reach toward 12.82%. Those pitches are where placement matters: arrive at them already redlined and the last kilometres to the 641 m summit become a grind rather than a climb.

Pacing Notes

Anchor your effort to your FTP. On a climb this length, holding a smooth, sustainable wattage will beat surging on every ramp — every match you burn on a 12.82% pitch is one you cannot spend over the remaining distance to 641 m.

If you do not know your threshold number, run it through the FTP estimator before you plan your target. A good approach: settle into a tempo you can sustain across all 8.2 km, then allow your power to rise on the steep sections while keeping cadence and breathing under control. Let the easier gradients below 4.48% be true recovery, not a place to attack, so you have something left when the road tilts up again.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 4.48% with ramps hitting 12.82%, gearing choice is really about protecting your legs on the steep bits. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the sharpest pitches while keeping cadence respectable.

If you weigh more, ride at endurance pace, or simply want insurance for the 12.82% sections, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket lets you spin rather than grind over the 366 m of climbing and keeps your effort tied to breathing instead of raw torque.

Summary

La Faya de los Lobos is an honest category 3 climb: 8.2 km, 366 m of gain, and a 12.82% sting that keeps it from feeling routine. Pace it to your threshold, gear low enough to spin the steep ramps, and the 641 m summit comes without drama.

Length: 8.2 km
Average gradient: 4.48%
Max gradient: 12.82%
Start: 275 m
Summit: 641 m
Net gain: 366 m
Total ascent: 357 m
Category: 3