Puerto de la Venta

Overview

Puerto de la Venta is a short, approachable climb that rewards steady legs more than raw power. Over 5.1 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 378 m to a summit at 552 m, a net gain of 174 m. The average gradient sits at a gentle 3.38%, which places it firmly in category 4 — the mildest of the classified brackets, sitting well below the HC, 1, 2, and 3 tiers reserved for the genuine giants. Don't let the modest headline number fool you into switching off entirely, though: the recorded total ascent of 162 m against a 174 m net gain tells you the road doesn't climb in a perfectly clean line.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The story of Puerto de la Venta is the gap between its average and its maximum. A 3.38% mean spread across 5.1 km sounds almost flat, and for long stretches it will feel that way — the kind of grade you can hold in a big gear while barely leaving the saddle. But the max gradient of 7.16% is more than double the average, so the effort is not evenly distributed. Somewhere on this climb the road roughly doubles in pitch, and those ramps are where the day is decided.

The 162 m of total ascent sitting just under the 174 m net gain hints at gentle undulation rather than a relentless drag — brief easings that let you recover before the next kick. Read the road ahead: bank speed on the shallow sections so the 7.16% pinches cost you less.

Pacing Notes

Because the average is soft, this is a climb best paced by feel and by the steep sections rather than by an even power target. On the flatter grades you can ride comfortably below threshold, then absorb the 7.16% ramps with short, controlled efforts. Aim to hold the steep pitches around your FTP rather than spiking well over it — a 5.1 km climb is short enough that going deep early leaves plenty of road to regret it.

If you're not sure what your threshold actually is, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first, then set a ceiling for the ramps and a cruising effort for the shallow middle. On a category-4 climb, smooth beats spiky almost every time.

Gearing

For most riders a standard compact setup is plenty here. A 50/34 chainring paired with a wide-range cassette gives you all the range you need: the 3.38% average is easily spun in the middle of the block, while the 7.16% max is where you'll want a bailout sprocket. A 34×32 lowest gear will get the vast majority of riders over the top without strain, and if you prefer to keep cadence high or you're carrying fatigue, a 34×34 gives an extra margin on the steepest ramp. There's no need for anything more exotic on a climb this short and this shallow.

Summary

Puerto de la Venta is a fast, friendly climb: long enough to feel like an ascent, gentle enough to attack, with one honest pinch to keep you honest. Pace the steep bits, spin the rest, and enjoy the view from 552 m.

Length: 5.1 km
Average gradient: 3.38%
Max gradient: 7.16%
Start: 378 m
Summit: 552 m
Net gain: 174 m
Total ascent: 162 m
Category: 4