Puerto de la Cruz Verde

Overview

Puerto de la Cruz Verde is a Category 3 climb in Spain (ES), running 11 km from a start elevation of 893 m to a summit at 1,258 m. Over that distance it delivers a net elevation gain of 365 m, giving it a modest overall character on paper. It is a climb you can ride steadily rather than one that demands an all-out effort from the base.

The paper picture is incomplete, though. Against 365 m of net gain sits 493 m of total ascent, meaning you actually climb 128 m more than the elevation profile's endpoints suggest. That gap comes from descending and re-climbing along the way. In practice this undulation costs you rhythm: every short drop bleeds momentum you then have to pay back, so the effort feels lumpier than a smooth 365 m grind would.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 3.32% average is a blend, not a constant. It hides the flat and downhill sections that drag the number down, and it masks the steepest ramp, which reaches 10.76%. Expect the road to change character repeatedly rather than settle into one sustained pitch.

• Flatter and recovery sections where the gradient eases well below average, letting you spin and recover
• Short downhill or false-flat stretches that account for the 128 m of extra ascent
• Repeated short climbs stacked between the recoveries, each asking for a brief lift in effort
• The steepest ramp at 10.76%, a sharp pitch that punishes a low cadence and a heavy gear

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, chasing an even speed is a trap. Holding constant speed forces you to spike your power on every rise and coast on every dip, burning matches you do not need to burn. Aim instead for an even effort: hold a steady output on the climbs and let your speed rise naturally on the flatter and descending sections.

Anchor that effort to your sustainable power output rather than to how fast the terrain lets you go. If you are unsure where that ceiling sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you ride, then keep your climbing efforts a shade under it so the 10.76% ramp does not tip you into the red.

Gearing

Gearing here is governed by the steepest pitch, not the gentle average. At 10.76% you want a bailout gear that keeps your cadence up without grinding. A compact (50/34) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is the safe choice: a 34×32 will cover most riders, and a 34×34 gives extra margin on the steep ramp or on tired legs. Check your actual chainring and cassette combination before the ride rather than assuming it will do the job.

Summary

• Length: 11 km
• Average gradient: 3.32%
• Maximum gradient: 10.76%
• Net elevation gain: 365 m
• Total ascent: 493 m
• Category: 3

Puerto de la Cruz Verde reads as an easy Category 3 climb, and its 3.32% average supports that. But the 128 m gap between net gain and total ascent tells the real story: pace it on even effort, gear for the 10.76% ramp, and the undulation stays a rhythm problem rather than a wall.