Puerto de la Cruz

Overview

Puerto de la Cruz is a short, honest category-4 climb that rewards a firm, steady effort. Over just 2.5 km it lifts you from 300 m to 458 m, a net gain of 158 m at an average gradient of 6.23%. That average sits comfortably in the sweet spot where a climb is long enough to matter but short enough to attack. With a maximum pitch of 9.65%, it never crosses into leg-breaking territory, yet it offers enough bite to test your rhythm and expose a pace started too hot. Think of it as a climb you can commit to fully from the base, knowing the summit is only a couple of kilometres away.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape here is defined by two numbers: a 6.23% average and a 9.65% maximum. That gap of roughly 3.4 percentage points tells you the road is not perfectly uniform. There are stretches that sit at or above the average, punctuated by steeper ramps reaching toward that near-double-digit maximum. Because the total ascent of 148 m is very close to the net gain of 158 m, the profile is almost entirely uphill with little or no false-flat relief to recover on. In practical terms, expect to hold a consistent grade for most of the 2.5 km, then brace for the sharper kicks that push you toward 9.65%. Position yourself so those ramps come as a challenge, not a surprise.

Pacing Notes

At only 2.5 km, this climb is short enough to ride slightly above your comfortable threshold without blowing up, provided you meter the effort. A good target is to settle in just around your FTP and let the steeper pitches nudge you briefly over it, then ease back on the shallower sections. Because the average is a firm 6.23%, there is little coasting to be had, so smoothness matters more than surges. If you are unsure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your effort. On a climb this length, the difference between a well-judged pace and an overcooked start is the difference between cresting strong and crawling the final ramps.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 6.23% with a maximum of 9.65%, a compact setup gives you the range to stay seated and spinning. A 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 32-tooth largest cog (34×32) is plenty for most riders to hold cadence through the steeper pitches. If you prefer to keep the legs fresh or you climb at a lower power-to-weight, step up to a 34×34 for a little extra insurance on the ramps toward 9.65%. Either way, the goal is to protect your cadence so the short, steep sections do not force you out of the saddle before you are ready.

Summary

Puerto de la Cruz packs a genuine test into a compact 2.5 km. Commit early, ride smooth, and save something for the steep ramps near the top.

Length: 2.5 km
Average gradient: 6.23%
Max gradient: 9.65%
Start: 300 m
Summit: 458 m
Net gain: 158 m
Total ascent: 148 m
Category: 4