Alto de Moná

Overview

Alto de Moná is an HC-category climb in Colombia, one of the hardest classifications a paved ascent can carry. It runs 13.6 km from a start elevation of 1,500 m to a summit at 2,726 m, for a net elevation gain of 1,226 m. At an average gradient of 9.01% over that distance, it is relentlessly steep by any measure, with no long valley approach to ease you in.

The gap between the numbers tells the real story. Net elevation gain is 1,226 m, but total ascent is 1,372 m — 146 m more. That difference means the road undulates: you lose height at points and have to climb it back. On a climb this steep, those re-climbs come at full gradient, so the effort is harder than a clean 1,226 m grind would suggest. Budget for the extra work.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An average of 9.01% is a summary, not a promise. The road does not hold that figure evenly — it pitches well above it in places and eases below it in others, and the 146 m of undulation confirms the profile is broken rather than smooth. Read the road, not the average.

• Short recovery or shallower sections where the gradient dips below the 9.01% average
• Repeated re-climbs after brief descents, accounting for the extra 146 m of ascent
• Ramps that spike sharply above average, with the steepest reaching 39.89%

Pacing Notes

On an undulating HC climb, chasing an even speed is a trap: holding pace on the 39.89% ramps would spike your effort into the red and cost you the summit. Pace by effort instead. Anchor your climb to your sustainable power output and let speed fall on the steep pitches while you recover on the shallower ones.

If you don't know that number, run the FTP estimator before you commit. Aim to sit just under threshold on the average-gradient sections, and accept short surges over threshold on the steepest ramps — just keep them brief so you can settle again.

Gearing

The steepest gradient here is 39.89%, and that single figure should govern your entire setup. Nothing about a standard road cassette will save you on a wall that steep. Fit a compact (34-tooth inner) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 at minimum, and 34×34 or lower if you can run it. The goal is to keep cadence up and torque manageable so you're not grinding to a stall. Check your chainset and cassette before the ride; the trailhead is the wrong place to discover you're overgeared.

Summary

• Length: 13.6 km
• Average gradient: 9.01%
• Maximum gradient: 39.89%
• Net elevation gain: 1,226 m
• Total ascent: 1,372 m
• Category: HC

Alto de Moná is a short climb only on paper. The 9.01% average, the 146 m of undulation, and ramps up to 39.89% make it an HC test that rewards conservative pacing and low gearing over ambition.