Puerto del Viento

Overview

Puerto del Viento is a 9.1 km category 2 climb that begins at 381 m and tops out at 825 m, a net elevation gain of 444 m. The total ascent registers 433 m, which tells you the road climbs almost relentlessly upward with only the slightest give-back along the way. At an average gradient of 4.89%, this is a climb you can settle into rather than survive, but a maximum pitch of 9.13% means there is at least one section that will demand real effort. It is long enough to reward patient riders and steep enough in places to punish anyone who starts too hard.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline figure of 4.89% describes the whole 9.1 km, but averages hide the story. With a peak of 9.13% roughly doubling the mean, the climb clearly has an uneven profile: stretches that sit below the average, offset by at least one ramp that nearly hits double digits. The gap between the 433 m of measured ascent and the 444 m of net gain is small, confirming there are almost no descents to break the rhythm — once you start climbing, you keep climbing. Expect the effort to ebb and flow rather than hold perfectly constant, so read the road ahead and save something for where the gradient bites hardest.

Pacing Notes

Because the average is a moderate 4.89% but the maximum reaches 9.13%, the smart approach is to ride the shallow sections slightly harder and protect your legs for the steep ramp. Anchor your effort to your FTP: on a climb of this length, aiming for a steady percentage of threshold keeps you from blowing up before the summit. If you don't know your current number, run it through the FTP estimator first, then set a target power band for the climb. Over 9.1 km the difference between a controlled effort and an over-cooked start is measured in minutes at the top.

Gearing

For a 9.1 km climb averaging 4.89% with a 9.13% maximum, most riders will be comfortable on a compact setup with a wide-range cassette. A 34×32 is enough for the steep ramp if your legs are strong and your cadence is high. If you prefer to spin, favour endurance, or expect to be tired by the upper slopes, step up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket keeps your cadence relaxed on that near-double-digit pitch and makes the whole 825 m summit feel far more manageable. When in doubt on a climb with this spread between average and max, choose the easier gear.

Summary

Puerto del Viento is an approachable but honest category 2 climb: 9.1 km of near-continuous ascent with a friendly average and one demanding ramp. Pace it off your threshold, gear low enough for the 9.13% section, and the 825 m summit is a satisfying reward.

Length: 9.1 km
Average gradient: 4.89%
Max gradient: 9.13%
Start: 381 m
Summit: 825 m
Net gain: 444 m
Total ascent: 433 m
Category: 2