Puerto de Valdeprado

Overview

Puerto de Valdeprado is a 9.4 km category 2 ascent that trades drama for consistency. From a start elevation of 905 m it climbs to a summit of 1341 m, a net gain of 436 m, with a total ascent of 423 m recorded across the full length. The average gradient is a moderate 4.61%, and the steepest pitch tops out at just 6.95% — numbers that mark this out as a climb you can ride at a rhythm rather than one that repeatedly forces you out of the saddle. It is long enough to matter, but never so severe that survival becomes the only goal.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Valdeprado is how little the road deviates from its average. With a 4.61% mean and a 6.95% ceiling, the gap between typical and hardest is only about 2.34% — an unusually narrow band for a climb of this length. That tells you the ascent leans on sustained, honest grades rather than punchy ramps. Expect long stretches that sit close to the average, with the harder sections nudging toward the near-7% maximum rather than spiking past it. Because net gain (436 m) slightly exceeds total ascent (423 m), the profile trends steadily upward with almost no false-flat relief or descending kickbacks to break your cadence. You climb, and you keep climbing, all the way to 1341 m.

Pacing Notes

A climb this even rewards a disciplined, metered effort. Your FTP is the number to anchor to here: because the gradient never forces a surge, you can hold a fixed percentage of it from bottom to top and let the consistency work in your favor. Riders targeting a strong steady climb should sit just below threshold and stay there, saving any acceleration for the final kilometer toward the summit. If you are unsure of your threshold power, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you set your pacing target. Over 9.4 km, going 20 watts too hard early costs far more than starting conservatively — the smooth grade means there is no downhill to recover on.

Gearing

For a 9.4 km climb averaging 4.61% with a 6.95% maximum, most riders do not need extreme ratios, but comfort still pays over the sustained length. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will handle the steady middle sections and the near-7% pitches for fit climbers holding good cadence. If you would rather spin than grind — or you are carrying fatigue into the climb — a 34×34 gives you extra headroom to keep the legs turning over on the steeper ramps toward 1341 m. Given the modest maximum gradient, either choice works; pick the one that lets you protect your cadence across all 9.4 km.

Summary

Puerto de Valdeprado is a steady, honest category 2 climb: long enough to test your pacing, even enough to reward it. Anchor to your threshold, choose gearing that protects your cadence, and let the consistent 4.61% grade carry you to 1341 m.

Length: 9.4 km
Average gradient: 4.61%
Max gradient: 6.95%
Start: 905 m
Summit: 1341 m
Net gain: 436 m
Total ascent: 423 m
Category: 2