Paso de Taxeras

Overview

Paso de Taxeras is a long, patient climb that trades severity for sheer distance. Over 25.8 km it averages a measured 4.55%, carrying you from a valley floor at 743 m to a summit of 1917 m. That works out to 1174 m of net elevation gain, with a total ascent of 1109 m once the road's small dips and recoveries are counted. It sits in category 1 — one rung below the fearsome HC — and earns that rating not through wall-like ramps but through relentless, cumulative effort. This is a climb where the clock and the altimeter, not the gradient, are your true opponents.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 4.55% average across 25.8 km hides a fair amount of variation. Because the net gain (1174 m) exceeds the total ascent (1109 m), you can expect the road to trend upward almost the entire way, with only brief flatter interludes rather than genuine descents. Think of the profile as a steady rising line: long stretches close to the average, punctuated by pitches that climb above it and short landings that let you catch your breath. The final drag toward 1917 m, where the air thins, tends to feel harder than the raw percentage suggests — thin air and accumulated fatigue conspire against you. Ride the shape, not the number.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing is everything. Settle into a rhythm you could hold for well over an hour and resist the urge to chase the steeper ramps early. A useful anchor is your FTP: target a wattage comfortably below threshold for the bulk of the 25.8 km, saving any surges for the higher slopes where the altitude bites. If you are unsure of your number, run it through the FTP estimator before you set off. Because the gradient rarely spikes, small pacing errors compound slowly but surely across the full 1174 m of climbing — start conservatively and let the summit come to you.

Gearing

The moderate average gradient is deceptive over 25.8 km, so favour spinning easy gears to protect your legs for the long haul. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a 34×32 low gear gives most riders enough range to keep a smooth cadence on the pitches that exceed the average. If you tire late or simply prefer to twiddle, step up to a 34×34 — that extra sprocket is welcome as you push through the final kilometres toward 1917 m, where every watt costs more. Err toward easier gearing here; there is no prize for grinding.

Summary

Paso de Taxeras rewards discipline. It is not the steepest climb you will meet, but its 25.8 km length and 1174 m of gain make patience and pacing the decisive factors. Set an honest tempo, gear low, and let the long road carry you steadily to the top.

Length 25.8 km
Average gradient 4.55%
Max gradient n/a
Start 743 m
Summit 1917 m
Net gain 1174 m
Total ascent 1109 m
Category 1