Puerto de las Atalayas

Overview

Puerto de las Atalayas is a short, honest category 4 climb that rewards rhythm over raw power. Over 4.7 km the road lifts you from 206 m at the base to 388 m at the summit, a net gain of 182 m. The average gradient sits at a friendly 3.84%, and the steepest pitch tops out at just 5.48%. Those numbers tell you everything about the character here: this is not a wall to be survived but a gradient to be settled into. It is the kind of climb where a rider who paces cleanly will arrive at the top with something left, and a rider who overcooks the lower slopes will spend the back half regretting it.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With a 3.84% average and a 5.48% ceiling, the spread between typical and maximum is narrow — only about 1.64 percentage points. That tightness is the defining feature. There are no lurches or sudden ramps to break your cadence; the climb holds a consistent, moderate incline throughout. The gap between the 182 m net gain and the 164 m of total ascent is small, which points to a road that climbs almost continuously rather than rolling up and down. Expect a gradient that hovers near the average for most of its 4.7 km, nudging toward that 5.48% maximum on its steepest section before easing back to the summit.

Pacing Notes

Because the incline is so even, this is an ideal climb for holding a steady effort just around your threshold. Aim to ride the whole 4.7 km at a controlled tempo rather than attacking any single pitch — the 5.48% maximum is never steep enough to justify a surge. If you know your FTP, target something close to it and let the consistent gradient do the metering for you. Not sure where your threshold sits? Run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your effort. On a 182 m ascent this short, the cost of starting too hot is real: settle in early, keep your breathing even, and lift only in the final hundred metres as the road tips toward 388 m.

Gearing

For a climb topping out at 5.48%, you do not need bailout gearing, but comfort matters on any sustained pull. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a 34×32 low is more than enough for most riders to spin the 3.84% average without grinding. If you prefer to keep your cadence high or you are carrying fatigue, a 34×34 gives you a little extra breathing room on the steepest section. Either 34×32 or 34×34 will let you sit and spin rather than stand and mash, which is exactly how a climb this steady is best ridden.

Summary

Puerto de las Atalayas is a compact, consistent category 4 climb — 4.7 km of even gradient that gains 182 m without ever throwing a curveball. Pace it smoothly, gear it comfortably, and it becomes one of the more satisfying steady efforts you can ride.

Length: 4.7 km
Average gradient: 3.84%
Max gradient: 5.48%
Start: 206 m
Summit: 388 m
Net gain: 182 m
Total ascent: 164 m
Category: 4