Puerto de la Mina

Overview

Puerto de la Mina is a compact, honest climb: 5 km of road that lifts you from 202 m at the base to 513 m at the summit, a net gain of 311 m. Rated category 3, it sits in the sweet spot where a climb is long enough to matter but short enough to attack. The average gradient of 6.23% keeps the effort firmly aerobic for most riders, while the total ascent of 304 m confirms that this is a climb with very little relief once it starts pointing uphill. There are no long false flats to hide behind here — the numbers describe a road that just goes up.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Do the arithmetic and the shape becomes clear. Averaging 6.23% across 5 km is a consistent, sustained ramp rather than a series of walls. But the max gradient of 8.72% tells you the road is not perfectly uniform: somewhere along those 5 km, the tarmac steepens by more than two percentage points above the average. That gap between 6.23% and 8.72% is the difference between spinning comfortably and having to stand on the pedals for a spell. Expect the effort to breathe — settle into the average, then absorb the steeper pitch without panicking, knowing the gradient will ease back toward the mean afterward.

Pacing Notes

The key to a climb like this is riding to your threshold rather than your ego. Because it is only 5 km, there is a temptation to start hot — resist it. Anchor your effort to your sustainable power at or just below FTP, and let the steeper 8.72% ramp push you briefly into the red rather than blowing your whole match early. If you do not know your threshold number yet, spend a few minutes with the FTP estimator before you tackle this one; a realistic figure turns 5 km of guesswork into a repeatable, well-judged effort. Aim to reach the 513 m summit having spent everything and nothing more.

Gearing

For a 6.23% average with spikes to 8.72%, you want a gear that lets you keep cadence over the steeper section without grinding. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default. A 34×32 will handle the average comfortably for most trained riders and give you enough to stay seated through the 8.72% pitch. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at altitude, or simply prefer to spin, a 34×34 buys you extra breathing room and keeps your legs fresh across the full 311 m of climbing. Neither choice is overkill on a category 3 ascent — the goal is smooth cadence, not heroics.

Summary

Puerto de la Mina is a clean, repeatable category 3 test: short, steady, and just steep enough to reward good pacing. Ride it to threshold, respect the one steep pitch, and let the compact gearing carry you to the top.

Length: 5 km
Average gradient: 6.23%
Max gradient: 8.72%
Start: 202 m
Summit: 513 m
Net gain: 311 m
Total ascent: 304 m
Category: 3