Alto de Choupinho

Overview

Alto de Choupinho is a long, even-tempered climb that rewards rhythm over raw power. Over 9.4 km the road lifts you from a start elevation of 247 m to a summit of 571 m, a net elevation gain of 324 m at an average gradient of 3.46%. With a maximum gradient of just 5.46%, it never crosses into leg-shattering territory, which is exactly why its category 3 rating makes sense: demanding on the clock, but manageable on the muscles. This is a climb you settle into rather than survive.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency. An average of 3.46% paired with a max of only 5.46% tells you the road rarely deviates far from its mean — there are no walls, no sudden ramps that spike your heart rate and force a scramble. The total ascent of 308 m sits just below the 324 m net figure, confirming there is minimal descending or flattening along the way; almost every metre of forward progress is also a metre of climbing. Expect a smooth, near-linear drag where the gradient does most of its work in the low-to-mid single digits. The gentlest sections let you recover in the saddle, and the steepest pitch at 5.46% is more of a firm nudge than a genuine test.

Pacing Notes

Because the effort is so uniform, Alto de Choupinho is an ideal climb for holding a target power. Pick a percentage of your FTP you can sustain for the full 9.4 km and lock into it early rather than surging on the shallower ramps. On a climb this steady, riders who go out hard on the opening kilometres pay for it long before the 571 m summit. If you are unsure what number to aim for, run the FTP estimator first and build your pacing around it. A tempo-to-threshold effort held evenly will almost always beat a stochastic one here, since there are no descents to recover the time you lose from blowing up.

Gearing

At an average of 3.46% and a maximum of 5.46%, gearing is not going to be the limiting factor for most riders. A standard compact setup of 34×32 gives you plenty of range to spin comfortably the whole way up while keeping your cadence high on the milder stretches. If you prefer to climb seated at a lighter load — or you are tackling this at the end of a long day — a 34×34 adds a touch more insurance without any real downside on a climb this gentle. Either choice lets you stay smooth and avoid grinding, which is the whole point on a 324 m ascent that rewards spinning over stamping.

Summary

Alto de Choupinho is a classic rhythm climb: long enough to matter, gentle enough to enjoy. Set your pace, hold it, and let the even gradient carry you to the top.

Length: 9.4 km
Average gradient: 3.46%
Max gradient: 5.46%
Start: 247 m
Summit: 571 m
Net gain: 324 m
Total ascent: 308 m
Category: 3