Puerto del Cardo

Overview

Puerto del Cardo is a compact category 4 climb that packs its work into a tidy 2.4 km. From a base at 70 m the road rises to a summit of 213 m, a net gain of 143 m at an average gradient of 5.89%. That average sits in the sweet spot where a climb is steep enough to hurt but short enough to attack. With a maximum pitch of 8.68%, there is a genuine sting here, yet nothing so brutal that it forces a walk. Category 4 is the gentlest rung on the classification ladder — below 3, 2, 1, and the fearsome HC — but do not mistake gentle for trivial. At under two and a half kilometres, this is a climb you can ride hard from bottom to top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape of Puerto del Cardo is honest. The 5.89% average and 8.68% maximum are close enough together that there are no long flat reprieves to hide behind — the road simply keeps tilting upward. Expect the gradient to hover around that near-6% figure for much of the ascent, with the steepest ramp touching 8.68% somewhere in the body of the climb. A useful detail: the net elevation gain is 143 m, while the total ascent measured along the road is 126 m. That small difference tells you the profile is almost entirely uphill, with negligible dips or false flats to break the rhythm. In practical terms, this is a climb you settle into and grind, rather than one you surge and coast through.

Pacing Notes

Because Puerto del Cardo is so short, you can afford to ride it above your all-day threshold. A climb of 2.4 km will typically take a fit rider only a handful of minutes, which means you can push comfortably over your FTP without paying for it later. Aim to hold a strong, steady effort through the 5.89% average and then lift the pace as the road eases toward the 213 m summit. Save a small reserve for the 8.68% pitch so it does not blow your rhythm apart. If you are not sure what wattage your body can sustain, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first, then treat this climb as a chance to ride a touch above that ceiling.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 5.89% and peaking at 8.68%, a compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is plenty. A 34×32 will let most riders spin the average gradient without straining, and it keeps a comfortable cadence over the 8.68% maximum. If you prefer to sit and turn the pedals rather than stand, or you are carrying fatigue from earlier climbs, a 34×34 gives you an extra bailout gear that makes the steepest ramp feel almost casual. Either setup covers the 143 m of net climbing here with room to spare.

Summary

Puerto del Cardo is a fast, satisfying category 4 test — short enough to attack, steep enough to reward good pacing and sensible gearing.

Length: 2.4 km
Average gradient: 5.89%
Max gradient: 8.68%
Start: 70 m
Summit: 213 m
Net gain: 143 m
Total ascent: 126 m
Category: 4