Portela do Penedo das Merendas

Overview

Portela do Penedo das Merendas is a long, steady category-1 climb that trades drama for duration. Over 19.7 km it lifts you from a valley floor at 316 m to a summit of 1250 m, a net gain of 934 m at an average gradient of 4.74%. The max gradient tops out at 7.69%, which tells you something important before you turn a pedal: this is not a wall-and-recover climb. There is no single savage ramp waiting to break you. Instead, the difficulty is spread across nearly twenty kilometres of persistent, energy-sapping uphill that rewards patience far more than raw power.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With an average of 4.74% and a ceiling of only 7.69%, the climb sits in a relatively narrow band. That narrowness is the defining feature. You will spend most of your time on gradients clustered close to the average, punctuated by shallower drags where the road eases and the occasional pitch that nudges toward the 7.69% maximum. The total ascent of 902 m sits just below the 934 m net gain, meaning the route climbs almost continuously with very little descending mixed in — there are no meaningful downhill breathers to reset your legs. Expect a rhythm climb: find a cadence early and defend it.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing errors compound. The smart approach is to ride the lower two-thirds slightly within yourself so you still have something for the upper slopes as you approach 1250 m and the air thins. Anchor your effort to your FTP: sitting a touch below threshold on the sustained sections keeps you out of the red and lets you absorb the steeper pitches near 7.69% without blowing up. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before your ride so you have a target wattage rather than guessing by feel. Nearly 20 km of climbing punishes anyone who goes out hot in the first few kilometres.

Gearing

Because the difficulty here is duration rather than steepness, gearing is about protecting your cadence over the long haul, not surviving a brief ramp. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the right call. A 34×32 will comfortably cover the average 4.74% gradient and let you spin the steeper 7.69% pitches without grinding. If you are a heavier rider, carrying luggage, or simply want to keep your legs fresh across the full 19.7 km, step up to a 34×34 for a little extra insurance on the upper slopes near the summit. Either way, favour spinning over stomping.

Summary

Portela do Penedo das Merendas is a climb of attrition: long, consistent, and unforgiving of impatience. Ride it as a sustained tempo effort, gear for cadence, and let the 934 m of net gain come to you kilometre by kilometre.

Length: 19.7 km
Average gradient: 4.74%
Max gradient: 7.69%
Start: 316 m
Summit: 1250 m
Net gain: 934 m
Total ascent: 902 m
Category: 1