Puerto Alto

Overview

Puerto Alto is a compact category 3 climb that rewards riders who like a steady, honest gradient without any nasty surprises. Over 3.9 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 118 m to a summit at 325 m, a net gain of 207 m. The average gradient sits at a companionable 5.31%, and the steepest pitch tops out at 6.77% — never so severe that you're forced out of the saddle for long, but firm enough that you'll feel it in the legs by the top.

This is the kind of climb you can attack with confidence. The numbers point to a consistent effort rather than a survival exercise, which makes it ideal for practising a controlled, sustainable pace on a real gradient.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Puerto Alto is how tight the band is between its average and its maximum. With a 5.31% average and a 6.77% max, there's only about 1.46 percentage points separating the typical slope from the hardest ramp. In practical terms, that means the road rarely deviates far from what your legs are already doing — no sudden walls, no long false flats that break your rhythm.

The gap between the 207 m net gain and the 186 m of total ascent is worth noting too: it tells you the climb is essentially all up, with very little in the way of dips or recovery descents along the way. What you see on the profile is what you get on the road: a clean, upward-tilting line for the full 3.9 km.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient is so even, Puerto Alto is a near-perfect climb for riding to a target power. Aim to settle in just below or right around your threshold and hold it. Knowing your FTP turns this climb into a simple maths problem: pick a sustainable percentage and keep the numbers steady from the 118 m base to the 325 m top.

If you're not sure where your threshold sits, run a quick check with the FTP estimator before you plan your effort. With only 207 m to gain, there's little room to bail yourself out of an overcooked start — pace the first kilometre conservatively and let the even 5.31% slope do the rest.

Gearing

For most riders, a compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is more than enough here. A 34×32 will spin comfortably up the 5.31% average and cover the 6.77% max without draining your legs, which makes it the sensible default for this category 3 effort.

If you prefer a higher cadence, carry extra load, or simply want a bailout gear in reserve, a 34×34 gives you a touch more breathing room on the steeper ramps. Neither is strictly necessary given the modest 207 m of climbing, but both keep you seated and rhythmic — exactly how you want to ride a gradient this consistent.

Summary

Puerto Alto is a short, evenly graded climb that suits tempo riders and anyone learning to pace by power. Steady slope, modest length, and a clean profile make it a satisfying tick.

Length: 3.9 km
Average gradient: 5.31%
Max gradient: 6.77%
Start: 118 m
Summit: 325 m
Net gain: 207 m
Total ascent: 186 m
Category: 3