Puerto de la Media Legua

Overview

Puerto de la Media Legua is a compact but genuinely demanding Category 2 climb. Over just 4.7 km the road lifts you from 580 m at the base to a 913 m summit, a net gain of 333 m. That works out to an average gradient of 7.02%, which places it firmly in the territory where the effort never truly relaxes. There is nowhere long enough to fully recover, and the maximum pitch of 10.35% waits somewhere in the middle to remind you why this is a categorized ascent rather than a warm-up. Short climbs like this are deceptively hard: they are over quickly, but only if you commit to a pace that hurts from the first pedal stroke.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape here is honest. With a 7.02% average and a 10.35% maximum, the difference between the mean and the steepest ramp is only a little over three percentage points, so the climb is remarkably consistent rather than punchy. Expect long stretches sitting close to that 7% average, punctuated by a stiffer section that nudges toward double digits. The net gain of 333 m against a total ascent of 301 m tells you there is essentially no descending or flat relief along the way — every meter of road is working upward. That consistency is both a blessing and a curse: you can settle into a rhythm, but the rhythm is a hard one, and it holds you at threshold for the full 4.7 km.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short and steep, the smart approach is to ride just under the red rather than emptying yourself in the first kilometer. Because the whole ascent sits near 7.02%, your power will be steady, so pace to your FTP and hold it. A climb of roughly this length is short enough that many riders can push slightly above threshold, but the 10.35% ramp will punish anyone who overcooks the opening. If you are not sure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your effort. Aim to arrive at the steepest pitch with something in reserve, then use the final stretch above it to empty the tank toward the 913 m summit.

Gearing

Given the sustained 7.02% average and pitches to 10.35%, prioritize a cadence-friendly setup over a big-ring hero gear. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is a sensible baseline for most riders and will let you spin through the steepest section without grinding. If you tend to climb at lower cadence, carry extra weight, or simply want insurance on the 10.35% ramp, step up to a 34×34. The extra range costs you nothing on a climb where you will never want a taller gear, and it keeps your legs turning over rather than lurching from stroke to stroke.

Summary

Puerto de la Media Legua rewards commitment: 4.7 km of steady, unrelenting gradient with just enough of a sting near the top to separate the well-paced from the optimistic. Pace it to threshold, gear for spinning, and it becomes a satisfying, punchy test rather than a survival exercise.

Length: 4.7 km
Average gradient: 7.02%
Max gradient: 10.35%
Start: 580 m
Summit: 913 m
Net gain: 333 m
Total ascent: 301 m
Category: 2