Puerto del Espino

Overview

Puerto del Espino is a category 1 climb that asks a real question of your legs: 12.3 km of continuous ascent at an average gradient of 6.17%. From a start elevation of 87 m it grinds up to a summit of 843 m, a net elevation gain of 756 m over a total ascent of 746 m. That length-plus-gradient combination puts it firmly in the sustained-effort bracket — long enough that pacing matters more than punch, steep enough that a bad start will cost you dearly near the top.

At 6.17% on average, this is not a wall, but it is relentless. The max gradient of 10.95% is nearly double the average, which tells you the climb is not perfectly even: there are sharper ramps folded into an otherwise steady grade.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 6.17% average and the 10.95% maximum is the whole story of Puerto del Espino's shape. A climb that averages 6.17% but spikes to 10.95% cannot be uniform — for every stretch that touches double figures, there must be softer sections that pull the average back down.

Practically, that means you should expect the climb to breathe. Long ramps around and just above the 6.17% average will be broken up by steeper pitches climbing toward 10.95%, with the occasional shallower drag where you can recover a little without ever truly coasting. Over 12.3 km the cumulative effect of the net 756 m gain is what wears you down, not any single ramp. Treat the steep sections as features to survive rather than places to attack.

Pacing Notes

The smart way to ride a 12.3 km climb at 6.17% is to anchor your effort to a power target rather than to how the road looks. Aim to sit at a percentage of your FTP that you can hold for the full duration — for most riders a sustained tempo-to-threshold effort is realistic over a climb this long. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first so your target reflects your actual fitness.

Hold something in reserve for the ramps toward 10.95%. On those pitches, let your speed drop and your cadence fall slightly rather than surging your power far above target — a spike early can cost you the final kilometres. When the grade eases back toward and below 6.17%, resist the urge to over-recover; keep the pressure on so your average pace over the 756 m of gain stays honest.

Gearing

For a 12.3 km climb averaging 6.17% with ramps to 10.95%, prioritise a low enough bottom gear that you can spin the steep sections rather than grind them. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will handle the sustained 6.17% stretches comfortably for many riders, but on the 10.95% pitches — arriving deep into a 756 m ascent — a 34×34 gives you the extra margin to keep your cadence up and protect your legs. If your setup allows the 34×34, take it; the insurance is worth more than the slight weight.

Summary

Puerto del Espino is a long, sustained category 1 climb that rewards discipline: pace it by power, respect the ramps toward 10.95%, and gear low enough to keep spinning to the 843 m summit.

Length: 12.3 km
Average gradient: 6.17%
Max gradient: 10.95%
Start: 87 m
Summit: 843 m
Net gain: 756 m
Total ascent: 746 m
Category: 1