Portillo de Larrea

Overview

Portillo de Larrea is a category-3 climb that packs a genuine test into a compact 6.1 km. From a start elevation of 292 m it rises to a 626 m summit, a net gain of 334 m over the run. On paper the 5.47% average reads as steady tempo work, but that figure hides a 12.48% maximum that changes how you should approach the day. This is a climb long enough to matter and short enough to attack — the kind of effort where pacing discipline pays off more than raw power.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline numbers tell a story of contrast. Averaging 5.47% across 6.1 km, the climb never lets you fully coast, yet it never settles into a single rhythm either. The 12.48% max sits well above the average, which means at least one pitch more than doubles the mean gradient. Expect the road to breathe: sections that sit comfortably under the average, offset by ramps that spike toward that double-digit ceiling. It is worth noting that the total ascent of 315 m is slightly less than the 334 m net gain, a small quirk that tells you the road climbs almost continuously — there is little in the way of descending or false-flat recovery to reset your legs before the next ramp.

Pacing Notes

Treat the 5.47% average as your budget, not your target on every metre. The smart play is to ride the shallower opening within yourself, then hold power steady when the gradient bites toward 12.48%. Your FTP is the number that matters here: over 6.1 km you will be climbing for long enough that going into the red early on a steep pitch costs you dearly by the summit. Aim to sit just below threshold on the average grade and let your effort rise on the ramps without spiking. If you are unsure of your current threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan a target — a realistic figure turns 334 m of climbing into a manageable, repeatable effort rather than a gamble.

Gearing

With a 12.48% maximum, gearing is the difference between spinning and grinding. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring is the sensible foundation. Pair it with a 34×32 and most riders will keep a workable cadence across the steady 5.47% stretches. But because the pitches climb past 12%, the more forgiving 34×34 is the ratio to have in reserve — that extra sprocket protects your knees and keeps you seated when the road kicks up. If you can fit it, favour the 34×34; the modest weight cost is repaid the moment you hit the steepest ramp.

Summary

Portillo de Larrea rewards a rider who respects its shape: a compact climb whose average understates a sharp maximum. Pace to your threshold, gear for the steep pitches, and 334 m of elevation becomes a clean, satisfying effort rather than a struggle to the line.

Length: 6.1 km
Average gradient: 5.47%
Max gradient: 12.48%
Start: 292 m
Summit: 626 m
Net gain: 334 m
Total ascent: 315 m
Category: 3