Puerto de Fregenal

Overview

Puerto de Fregenal is a compact, honest climb: 4.1 km of continuous ascent that lifts you from a start elevation of 236 m to a summit at 474 m. That works out to 238 m of net gain over the whole effort, with the recorded total ascent sitting at 219 m once the small false-flats and dips are stripped out. At an average gradient of 5.77% and a maximum of 7.24%, it carries a category-3 rating — firmly in the "sustained but manageable" bracket rather than the leg-breaking territory of an HC or category-1 pass.

The appeal here is consistency. There is no wild ramp to survive and no long shallow drag to grind through; the numbers describe a climb that stays close to its average for most of its length, which makes it an ideal effort for practising steady climbing rhythm.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With an average of 5.77% and a peak of only 7.24%, the spread between typical and hardest is narrow — barely 1.47 percentage points. That tells you almost everything about the climb's shape: it holds a near-constant pitch rather than lurching between flat recovery and steep walls.

Expect the gradient to settle into the mid-fives to low-sixes for the bulk of the 4.1 km, nudging up toward that 7.24% maximum only briefly at its steepest point. Because the hardest section barely exceeds the average, you never face a moment where the road forces you out of the saddle in survival mode. The 238 m of net elevation is delivered smoothly across the distance.

Pacing Notes

This is a climb best ridden at a controlled, even output. Because the pitch rarely strays from 5.77%, you can lock into a target power and hold it — an approach that rewards riders who know their sustainable numbers. Aim to sit just below your FTP for the full 4.1 km rather than surging on the mild steeper section near the 7.24% peak.

If you are not sure what wattage you can hold for a climb of this duration, run your figures through the FTP estimator first, then pick a pacing target a touch under that for the opening kilometres. With only 238 m of net gain to manage, the danger is starting too hard on the lower slopes and fading — meter your effort and the summit at 474 m arrives comfortably.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 5.77% and topping out at 7.24%, a compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is plenty. A 34×32 will let most riders spin the whole 4.1 km without grinding, keeping cadence high through the steeper stretch near the top.

If you prefer to protect your knees, ride heavier, or want extra margin on tired legs, a 34×34 gives you one more comfortable gear for the 7.24% pinch. Given the modest 219 m of total ascent, either setup is more than adequate — the choice comes down to how much you value spinning over pushing.

Summary

Puerto de Fregenal is a rewarding, rhythm-friendly category-3 climb: short enough to attack, steady enough to pace cleanly, and forgiving in its gearing demands. Ride it smooth, hold your line just under threshold, and the 238 m of climbing to the 474 m summit passes quicker than the profile suggests.

Length: 4.1 km
Average gradient: 5.77%
Max gradient: 7.24%
Start: 236 m
Summit: 474 m
Net gain: 238 m
Total ascent: 219 m
Category: 3