Puerto Marín

Overview

Puerto Marín is a category 2 climb that runs 10.8 km from a base at 104 m to a summit of 601 m. That works out to 497 m of net elevation gain, though the road actually asks for 531 m of total ascent — a sign that the profile is not perfectly monotonous and gives back a little height along the way. The average gradient sits at a moderate 4.61%, but a maximum pitch of 10.99% means the climb hides some genuine bite behind those friendly averages. It is long enough to matter and steep enough in places to hurt, which is exactly the character of a well-earned category 2.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to internalise is the gap between the two ascent figures. Net gain is 497 m while total ascent is 531 m — a 34 m difference. That extra 34 m of climbing is absorbed by short descents or flatter respites scattered through the 10.8 km, so the road does not climb relentlessly upward. Instead you get a rhythm of harder pitches broken by recovery. The 4.61% average is a blend, not a constant: with a max of 10.99%, the steepest ramps are more than double the mean, so wherever the road kicks up you can expect gradients well into double digits before easing back toward the average again.

Pacing Notes

On a climb of this length, pace to your sustainable power rather than to the terrain in front of you. Your FTP is the anchor: because the average gradient is only 4.61%, holding a steady tempo just below threshold will carry you most of the way, and you can spend a little above it on the 10.99% ramps without blowing up — provided you settle back down once each ramp relents. Don't chase the flatter sections; let them be recovery rather than an excuse to surge. If you're unsure of your threshold number, run it through the FTP estimator first so your target on the 10.8 km is grounded in real data, not guesswork.

Gearing

With ramps reaching 10.99%, gearing choice decides whether you spin or grind. A compact 34-tooth inner paired with a 34×32 cassette combination is a sensible default and will keep your cadence civil on the steeper pitches while the 4.61% average keeps you comfortable elsewhere. If you climb at lower cadence, tire easily, or want insurance for the 10.99% sections late in the 10.8 km, step down to 34×34 for a touch more relief. Either way, favour the easier gear early — protecting your legs across 497 m of climbing matters more than looking strong in the first kilometre.

Summary

Puerto Marín rewards patience: a long, moderate category 2 with a sting in its steepest ramps. Pace to threshold, gear for the 10.99% pitches, and let the flatter breaks do their job.

Length: 10.8 km
Average gradient: 4.61%
Max gradient: 10.99%
Start: 104 m
Summit: 601 m
Net gain: 497 m
Total ascent: 531 m
Category: 2