Puerto de Fuente las Varas

Overview

Puerto de Fuente las Varas is a 9.6 km category 3 climb that trades brutal steepness for steady, rhythmic effort. It begins low at 57 m and tops out at 445 m, giving a net elevation gain of 388 m over its length. The average gradient of 4.03% places it firmly in tempo territory — a climb you settle into rather than survive. The total ascent of 372 m is slightly below the net figure, a hint that the road pitches downward briefly somewhere along the way rather than climbing relentlessly from base to summit.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining number here is the gap between the 4.03% average and the 8.78% maximum. That spread tells you the climb is not uniform: long stretches sit comfortably below the average, offset by at least one steeper ramp that touches nearly 8.78%. Because the total ascent (372 m) is 16 m less than the net gain (388 m), the profile almost certainly includes a short false-flat or descent — a moment where you carry speed instead of grinding. Expect the hardest kick to feel disproportionately sharp against the otherwise moderate backdrop. On a climb this steady, the 8.78% pitch is where selections happen and where a mistimed effort earlier will cost you.

Pacing Notes

At 4.03% average over 9.6 km, this is a threshold climb: sustainable, but long enough to punish over-cooking the early kilometres. Ride it close to your FTP on the shallower sections and leave a small reserve for the 8.78% ramp, where you can afford to drift a few watts above threshold without blowing up. If you do not know your sustainable power, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace. The key discipline is not accelerating on the false-flat implied by the total-ascent figure — use it to recover, not to attack. Hold something in reserve until the gradient bites, then spend it.

Gearing

For a 9.6 km climb averaging 4.03%, most riders will be comfortable in a compact setup. A 34×32 gives you enough range to spin the shallow tempo sections without over-gearing, and it covers the 8.78% ramp for stronger legs staying seated and controlled. If you prefer a higher cadence, favour fresh legs on longer days, or want insurance against fatigue late in the climb, step up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket keeps your cadence smooth exactly where the gradient peaks. Neither is overkill on a category 3 like this; pick based on your climbing weight and how hard you plan to ride the steep pitch.

Summary

Puerto de Fuente las Varas rewards steady pacing over heroics: a 9.6 km category 3 climb with a moderate 4.03% average, a single sharper 8.78% ramp, and a brief respite where the total ascent falls short of the net gain. Ride within yourself, gear sensibly, and save your match for the steep bite.

Length: 9.6 km
Average gradient: 4.03%
Max gradient: 8.78%
Start: 57 m
Summit: 445 m
Net gain: 388 m
Total ascent: 372 m
Category: 3