Puerto de Alejandría

Overview

Puerto de Alejandría is a long, sustained category 1 climb that rewards patience over punch. Across 22.1 km it lifts you from 652 m at the base to a 1722 m summit, a net elevation gain of 1070 m. The average gradient of 4.84% sounds gentle on paper, but with a maximum pitch of 15.4% and a total ascent of 1119 m, the road clearly does not climb in a straight, even line. That 49 m gap between net gain and total ascent tells you there are false flats and small dips folded into the ascent — moments where the road gives a little back before demanding it again.

This is a climb of distance and rhythm. At more than 22 km, it sits firmly in the territory where fitness and pacing decide your day far more than raw power.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number, 4.84%, is an average stretched across the full 22.1 km. Averages hide the story. With ramps reaching 15.4%, more than triple the mean, the climb pulses between mellow drags and sharp kicks. Expect stretches where the gradient sits well below 4.84%, letting you spin and recover, offset by ramps that force you out of the saddle.

Because the total ascent (1119 m) slightly exceeds the net gain (1070 m), the profile is not perfectly monotonic. Those extra 49 m of climbing come from short descents and rollers that break your cadence. Treat every easing as a chance to reset, not to switch off — the next pitch toward 15.4% arrives without much warning on a climb shaped like this.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold something just below threshold on the shallower sections, saving your matches for the steep ramps toward 15.4%. Going too deep in the first few kilometers is the classic error on a 22.1 km ascent — the summit at 1722 m is a long way from the 652 m start.

If you don't know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go. Knowing your ceiling turns the 4.84% average into a target power you can actually hold for the full 1070 m of climbing, rather than a guess that blows up two-thirds of the way up.

Gearing

The combination of length and steepness makes gearing a genuine decision here. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette is a sensible baseline for strong climbers who can turn a bigger gear over 22.1 km. But for most riders facing 15.4% ramps after already climbing hundreds of meters, a 34×34 setup buys precious cadence and spares your knees. Given the 1119 m of total ascent, err toward the easier 34×34 — you will thank yourself in the final kilometers.

Summary

Puerto de Alejandría is a distance climb: manageable on average, spiky in detail, and long enough to punish poor pacing. Ride within yourself, gear low, and let the 22.1 km come to you.

Length: 22.1 km
Average gradient: 4.84%
Max gradient: 15.4%
Start: 652 m
Summit: 1722 m
Net gain: 1070 m
Total ascent: 1119 m
Category: 1