Puerto de la Ventana

Overview

Puerto de la Ventana is a compact category 3 climb that packs a genuine effort into a manageable distance. Over 5.6 km the road lifts you from 328 m at the base to a summit of 648 m, a net gain of 320 m. The average gradient of 5.77% sits in that honest middle band where you can settle into a rhythm without ever being allowed to coast. With a maximum pitch of 8.52%, it never crosses into leg-breaking territory, but it asks for steady, sustained work from start to finish.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 5.77% on average, this is a climb of consistency rather than shock. The gap between the 5.77% average and the 8.52% maximum is only 2.75 percentage points, which tells you the road rarely spikes far above its baseline. Expect the gradient to hover around the average for long stretches, stiffening toward the steeper ramps and easing back just enough to let you recover before the next rise. Because the total ascent of 292 m is slightly less than the 320 m net elevation gain, the profile is almost entirely uphill with virtually no false flats or dips to break the effort. What you see is what you climb: a clean, upward line.

Pacing Notes

The key to Puerto de la Ventana is treating the 5.77% average as your anchor. At 5.6 km, this is short enough to push into threshold territory but long enough to punish an over-eager start. Aim to hold a wattage just below your FTP for the bulk of the climb, saving a small margin for the 8.52% ramps where the road bites hardest. If you do not know your threshold number, run the FTP estimator before you ride so you can pace by power rather than feel. Keep your effort even across the first two-thirds, then allow yourself to lift toward the summit at 648 m, where the finish line rewards anything you have left in reserve.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 5.77% with pitches to 8.52%, a compact setup is more than enough for most riders. A 34×32 will cover the steeper sections comfortably while letting you keep a fluid cadence on the shallower gradients near the average. If you prefer to spin rather than grind, or you are carrying fatigue from earlier climbing, drop to a 34×34 for extra insurance on the 8.52% ramps. Neither ratio is overkill on a 5.6 km effort of this shape, and the lower gear costs you nothing on a climb where cadence and consistency matter more than raw force.

Summary

Puerto de la Ventana is an ideal climb for building sustained tempo: short, honest, and consistent, with just enough gradient to test your pacing discipline. Anchor your effort to the 5.77% average, gear compact, and let the summit at 648 m come to you.

Length: 5.6 km
Average gradient: 5.77%
Max gradient: 8.52%
Start: 328 m
Summit: 648 m
Net gain: 320 m
Total ascent: 292 m
Category: 3