Paso de Condor

Overview

Paso de Condor is a short, thin-air climb that rewards steady rhythm over brute force. At 5.1 km with an average gradient of 3.2%, it sits firmly in category 4 — the gentlest of the classifications, well below the 1, 2, 3 tiers and a world away from an HC monster. What makes it notable is not the pitch but the altitude: you start at 3737 m and crest at 3901 m, gaining a net 164 m along the way. The total measured ascent is 150 m, meaning the road stays remarkably honest, giving back very little before it delivers you to the top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape here is that of a long, patient false-flat rather than a wall. Averaging 3.2% over 5.1 km, the climb never demands the kind of sustained effort that steeper categories do. The max gradient of 6.61% marks the single sharpest ramp, and even that would read as a gentle roller on a harder climb. Because the net gain (164 m) sits just above the total ascent figure (150 m), the profile is close to monotonic — it trends upward almost the whole way with minimal dips. Expect the gradient to hover near its average for long stretches, stiffening briefly toward that 6.61% pinch before easing back to the summit.

Pacing Notes

Above 3700 m, oxygen is the real limiter, not the incline. Even a modest 3.2% average will feel harder than the number suggests because your usable power drops with altitude. Ride this one conservatively: hold an effort you could sustain comfortably below your FTP, and resist the urge to surge on the 6.61% ramp. If you do not know your threshold, the FTP estimator will give you a working figure to pace against. Over just 5.1 km the whole climb is short enough to complete in a single controlled effort — the goal is a smooth, unbroken tempo that respects the thin air rather than a series of hard accelerations.

Gearing

You do not need extreme gearing for a 3.2% average, but altitude changes the math. A compact chainring paired with a 34×32 bottom gear is more than adequate for the 6.61% max on most legs, and it keeps your cadence high without over-torquing the pedals in low oxygen. If you fatigue easily at elevation or simply want extra insurance, a 34×34 gives you one more escape gear to spin the steepest metres. Either setup lets you sit and spin the full 5.1 km rather than grinding — the priority at this height.

Summary

Paso de Condor is a climb defined by its altitude, not its slope. Short at 5.1 km, gentle at 3.2% average, and modest in gain at 164 m net, it earns its respect from the 3901 m summit alone. Pace it smoothly, gear it for comfort, and let the thin air set the tempo.

Length: 5.1 km
Average gradient: 3.2%
Max gradient: 6.61%
Start: 3737 m
Summit: 3901 m
Net gain: 164 m
Total ascent: 150 m
Category: 4