estación de Puerto de Navacerrada

Overview

Estación de Puerto de Navacerrada is a long, sustained category 2 climb that rewards patience over punch. It runs for 13.5 km, lifting you from a start elevation of 1034 m to a summit of 1763 m. That is a net gain of 729 m, with 713 m of total ascent packed into an average gradient of 5.41%. The steepest section tops out at 7.35%, so while there is no wall to fear, there is nowhere to genuinely coast either. This is a climb of accumulation, where the altitude quietly stacks up beneath your wheels for the better part of an hour.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With 729 m of net gain spread across 13.5 km, the shape here is defined by consistency rather than surprise. The 5.41% average and 7.35% maximum sit close together, which tells you the road rarely deviates far from its overall pitch. The gap between the two is under 2%, so there are no violent ramps that spike your heart rate and no long false-flat reprieves that let you fully recover. Expect a steady tilt that occasionally firms up toward that 7.35% ceiling, then eases back to something nearer the average. Starting already at 1034 m, the thinning air becomes a factor as you approach 1763 m, subtly adding to the effort in the closing kilometers even where the gradient itself holds steady.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this even, pacing discipline matters more than raw power. Because the gradient stays close to 5.41% for 13.5 km, this is a near-perfect effort to ride at or just below your threshold. Anchor your target to your FTP and hold a wattage you can sustain for the full duration rather than surging on the steeper 7.35% pitches. If you do not know your number, run the FTP estimator before you go and set a ceiling you can defend to the summit. The temptation early is to bank time on the gentler sections, but with over 700 m of climbing ahead, going into the red before the halfway point will cost you far more than it saves. Ride the first third conservatively, settle into a rhythm through the middle, and only lift the pace once 1763 m is genuinely in sight.

Gearing

The 5.41% average is manageable in the saddle, but 13.5 km at that grade wears the legs down, and the 7.35% sections come after you are already fatigued. A compact chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible default here. A 34×32 will cover most riders comfortably, giving you a low enough gear to spin the steeper pitches without grinding. If you climb at a higher cadence, carry extra weight, or simply want insurance for the final kilometers at altitude, a 34×34 buys valuable breathing room. Either setup lets you protect your rhythm rather than muscling over the hardest ramps.

Summary

Estación de Puerto de Navacerrada is a steady, honest category 2 climb — long, evenly graded, and best ridden with restraint from the bottom. Nail your pacing, choose a low enough gear, and let the 729 m of vertical come to you.

Length: 13.5 km
Average gradient: 5.41%
Max gradient: 7.35%
Start: 1034 m
Summit: 1763 m
Net gain: 729 m
Total ascent: 713 m
Category: 2