Paso de Jama

Overview

Paso de Jama is a short but distinctive category-4 climb measuring just 4.7 km. On paper the numbers look gentle: a 4.41% average gradient and a max of 5.61% that never tips into truly steep territory. What sets this climb apart is not its slope but its ceiling. It begins at 4097 m and tops out at 4306 m, meaning every pedal stroke happens in genuinely thin air. The net elevation gain is a modest 209 m across the full 4.7 km, with 196 m of total ascent once you account for the small undulations along the way.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape here is one of consistency rather than drama. With an average of 4.41% and a maximum of only 5.61%, the difference between the mean and the peak is barely more than a single percentage point. That tells you the road holds a remarkably even pitch from bottom to top — there are no walls to brace for and no sudden ramps that force you out of the saddle. The gap between the 209 m net gain and the 196 m total ascent is small, which confirms a road that climbs almost continuously without meaningful descents or false flats to break the rhythm. It is a climb you settle into and hold, not one you attack in bursts.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient is so even, this is a climb to ride at a single, sustainable effort. Pick a percentage of your FTP that you can hold for the roughly 4.7 km duration and lock into it early. The catch is altitude: at over 4000 m, your available power drops and your perceived effort climbs, so the wattage that feels easy at sea level will feel considerably harder here. Ride conservatively, keep your breathing controlled, and resist the urge to surge on the shallow sections. If you are unsure what number to anchor to, run a quick check with the FTP estimator before you set off, then shade your target downward to respect the thin air.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 4.41% with a max of 5.61%, the raw gradient does not demand extreme gearing — but altitude changes the calculation entirely. Reduced power output at over 4000 m means you will want easier ratios than the slope alone suggests. A compact 34×32 gives most riders enough range to spin comfortably and keep cadence high, which is exactly what you want when oxygen is scarce. If you tend to climb at lower power or simply prefer to protect your legs, stepping up to a 34×34 adds a touch more headroom for the summit stretch. Either way, favour spinning over grinding.

Summary

Paso de Jama is a short, steady climb defined less by its gradient than by the extraordinary altitude at which it sits. Even pacing and comfortable gearing are the keys to enjoying it.

Length: 4.7 km
Average gradient: 4.41%
Max gradient: 5.61%
Start: 4097 m
Summit: 4306 m
Net gain: 209 m
Total ascent: 196 m
Category: 4