Zumeltzu lepoa

Overview

Zumeltzu lepoa is a compact but genuinely demanding Category 2 climb in Spain. Over just 4.2 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 635 m to a summit at 952 m, delivering a net gain of 317 m. The average gradient sits at a stiff 7.47%, and the steepest ramp bites at 14.41% — steep enough that no part of this climb lets you switch off. It is short enough to attack, but long enough to punish anyone who mistimes their effort.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency married to spikes. With a 7.47% average packed into 4.2 km, there is very little flat road to hide on. The climb trends steadily upward, and the difference between the summit elevation of 952 m and the base at 635 m — that 317 m of net gain — arrives without meaningful respite.

The 14.41% maximum is the moment that shapes your whole ride up. It sits well above the average, so when the road pitches toward it, expect your cadence to fall and your heart rate to spike. Around these ramps, the gradient briefly eases before rearing again. Ride the steep sections conservatively and you will have legs left for the run to the top.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steep and short, pacing is everything. The temptation is to hit the lower slopes hard, but at 7.47% average over 4.2 km, a blown match early leaves nothing for the 14.41% ramp.

Anchor your effort to your FTP. Aim to sit just above threshold on the steadier sections and allow short surges over threshold on the steepest pitches, knowing the climb is brief enough to recover at the summit. If you do not know your threshold power, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before your next attempt so you can set realistic targets rather than guessing.

Break the 4.2 km into thirds mentally: settle in through the first, hold steady through the second, and empty the tank only once the final ramps are in sight.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. A sustained 7.47% average with a 14.41% spike will overwhelm anything too tall. For most riders, a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the right call.

A 34×32 is the sensible baseline and will get most fit climbers up the steady sections comfortably. But given the 14.41% maximum, a 34×34 gives you a crucial extra safety gear for the steepest ramp — letting you keep a smoother cadence rather than grinding. If you tend to spin rather than mash, favor the 34×34 and thank yourself on the wall.

Summary

Zumeltzu lepoa rewards a smart, measured effort: respect the 7.47% average, save something for the 14.41% ramp, and gear low enough to keep spinning. Short, steep, and unforgiving — it is a proper Category 2 test packed into 4.2 km.

Length: 4.2 km
Average gradient: 7.47%
Max gradient: 14.41%
Start: 635 m
Summit: 952 m
Net gain: 317 m
Total ascent: 278 m
Category: 2