Puerto de Arrebatacapas

Overview

Puerto de Arrebatacapas is a category 2 climb that trades brutality for length. Over 10.4 km it averages a moderate 4.66%, lifting you from a start elevation of 584 m to a summit at 1067 m. That's a net elevation gain of 483 m, with a total ascent of 462 m once you account for the small rolling dips along the way. The gap between the two figures — 21 m — tells you there are short flat or gently downhill sections that hand a little back before the road tilts up again.

This is a climb you can ride in rhythm. With a maximum gradient of just 7.09%, there's no wall waiting to snap the pace. Instead, the difficulty lives in the sustained effort: more than ten kilometres of continuous work at a gradient that never lets you truly coast.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The signature of Arrebatacapas is consistency. An average of 4.66% across 10.4 km, capped at 7.09%, means the road rarely strays far from its mean. The steepest ramps only exceed the average by about 2.43 percentage points, so there are no dramatic pitches to shatter your cadence — just a long, honest drag.

Because total ascent (462 m) sits below net gain (483 m) is impossible — instead the reverse holds: net gain of 483 m slightly exceeds the 462 m of measured climbing plus the give-backs, which points to brief respites where the gradient eases. Ride these smart: soft-pedal the flatter metres to recover, then re-engage as the slope firms back toward 7.09%.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steady, pacing is everything. Set a target power just under your threshold and hold it. A useful anchor is your FTP — the effort you can sustain for roughly an hour. At 10.4 km and 4.66%, most riders will be on this climb long enough that riding above FTP early will cost you dearly near the 1067 m summit.

If you don't know your number, run a quick estimate with the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace. Aim to climb at a percentage of that figure you can defend to the top, keep your breathing controlled through the 483 m of gain, and save any surge for the final ramps rather than burning matches on the lower slopes.

Gearing

With a max of 7.09% and a 4.66% average, Arrebatacapas doesn't demand ultra-low gearing, but comfort over 10.4 km matters. A compact chainring paired with a 34×32 bottom gear gives most riders enough range to spin the steeper sections without grinding. If you favour a higher cadence, run out of legs on long days, or carry extra fatigue, step up to a 34×34 for a little more spinning room on the 7.09% ramps. Either way, the goal is to keep the pedals turning smoothly for the full 483 m of climbing.

Summary

Puerto de Arrebatacapas rewards patience: a long, even category 2 effort where rhythm beats raw power. Pace to your FTP, gear for comfort, and let the steady 4.66% do the rest of the storytelling to the 1067 m top.

Length: 10.4 km
Average gradient: 4.66%
Max gradient: 7.09%
Start: 584 m
Summit: 1067 m
Net gain: 483 m
Total ascent: 462 m
Category: 2