Port de la Carrasqueta

Overview

Port de la Carrasqueta is a Category 2 climb in Spain, running 9.4 km from a start elevation of 466 m to a summit at 1019 m. The net elevation gain across that distance is 553 m, and the climb holds an average gradient of 5.89%. On paper that puts it squarely in the middle range of climbing effort: long enough to matter, but not so steep that the average alone will break you.

The average, however, tells only part of the story. While the net elevation gain is 553 m, the total ascent is 817 m. That gap of 264 m means the road does not climb cleanly. You are gaining and giving back elevation as you go, so a meaningful share of your climbing happens on pitches that the point-to-point profile erases. Plan your effort around 817 m of vertical work, not 553 m, or you will arrive at the summit having spent more than you budgeted.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An average of 5.89% is deceptive on an undulating road. Because 264 m of the total ascent sits inside rolling sections, some pitches will run well above the average while others flatten out or drop. Ride the road, not the number.

• Expect flatter and recovery sections where the road eases or descends slightly, resetting your legs
• Expect repeated short climbs that stack up quietly and account for the extra ascent
• Expect the steepest ramp to spike far above 5.89%, so keep something in reserve for it

Pacing Notes

On a rolling climb like this, even-effort pacing beats even-speed pacing. Chasing a constant speed forces you to surge on every riser and coast on every dip, which burns matches you cannot recover. Instead, hold a steady sustainable power output and let your speed rise and fall with the terrain. Your pace will look uneven; your effort should not.

Anchor that target to a number you trust. If you are unsure where your ceiling sits, run the FTP estimator before the ride and set a cap you can hold through all 817 m of ascent, not just the first few kilometres.

Gearing

With sharp ramps that climb well above the average, gearing is your insurance. Fit a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette so you can spin the steep pitches rather than grind them. A 34×32 or 34×34 low gear gives most riders the cadence room to protect their legs on the harshest sections. Check your setup before the ride: confirm the cassette and chainset you plan to run, not the ones you assume are on the bike.

Summary

• Length: 9.4 km
• Average gradient: 5.89%
• Net elevation gain: 553 m
• Total ascent: 817 m
• Category: 2

Port de la Carrasqueta rewards riders who respect its undulation. Pace to power, gear for the steep ramps, and treat the 817 m of total ascent as the real workload. Do that, and the summit at 1019 m arrives on your terms.