Sela de Fabal

Overview

Sela de Fabal is a category 3 climb that measures 5.8 km from base to top. It starts low, at 18 m of elevation, and tops out at 335 m, giving a net gain of 317 m over the ascent. The average gradient sits at 5.51%, which places it firmly in the sustained-tempo bracket: hard enough to matter, steady enough to ride at a rhythm rather than in survival mode. The steepest pitch touches 11.4%, so while the average is honest, there is at least one ramp that will make you shift and stand.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to hold in your mind is the gap between the 5.51% average and the 11.4% maximum. That spread of roughly six percentage points tells you the road is not uniform. Long stretches near or slightly below the average carry you upward efficiently, then the gradient stiffens into a ramp that spikes to double figures before easing again. With 5.8 km of climbing and 317 m of net gain, the recorded total ascent of 303 m confirms the road pitches almost entirely upward — there is little false-flat relief or descending to recover on. Expect a climb that builds steadily and saves its sharpest bite for a defined pinch rather than scattering it evenly.

Pacing Notes

At 5.51% average over 5.8 km, this is a climb you meter with your legs and your head. Aim to hold a steady effort just under threshold on the shallower sections so you have headroom when the gradient rears toward 11.4%. If you know your FTP, target the average grade at a percentage of it you can sustain for the full 5.8 km, then allow a short surge over threshold on the steep ramp before settling back. Not sure of your number? Run the FTP estimator first and pace from a real figure rather than feel alone. The danger on a climb like this is going too deep early on the tempo sections and having nothing left when the road kicks.

Gearing

For a 5.8 km climb averaging 5.51% with an 11.4% maximum, a compact setup is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will handle the sustained tempo comfortably and give most riders enough range to spin the average grade without grinding. If you carry extra fatigue, ride at a lighter build of fitness, or simply prefer to keep a high cadence on the 11.4% pinch, step up to a 34×34 — that extra sprocket turns the steepest ramp from a struggle into a manageable seated effort. Both options let you protect your knees and keep your rhythm intact where the gradient bites.

Summary

Sela de Fabal packs a genuine test into 5.8 km: a 5.51% average that rewards steady pacing, punctuated by an 11.4% ramp that demands a gear in reserve. Climb it with a plan, and the 317 m of net gain arrives smoothly.

Length: 5.8 km
Average gradient: 5.51%
Max gradient: 11.4%
Start: 18 m
Summit: 335 m
Net gain: 317 m
Total ascent: 303 m
Category: 3