Puerto de la Magdalena

Overview

Puerto de la Magdalena is an hors catégorie climb, the hardest rating on the scale that runs from HC down through 1, 2, 3, and 4. Over 12.7 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 300 m to a summit at 1317 m, a net gain of 1017 m. The average gradient sits at a punishing 8.01%, and the steepest section bites at 12.62%. This is a climb that never really lets you settle: the numbers alone tell you it will occupy the better part of an hour for most riders, and every one of those minutes is spent climbing.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An 8.01% average across 12.7 km means the road tilts uphill relentlessly. There are no valleys or descents to hide behind — the net gain of 1017 m and the total ascent of 999 m are almost identical, a difference of just 18 m, which tells you the profile is essentially one continuous ramp rather than a saw-tooth of ups and downs. The 12.62% maximum is well above the average, so expect the grade to swing above and below 8.01% as you go. The steepest pitches sit roughly 4.61 percentage points above the average, sharp enough to force you out of the saddle even when your legs would rather sit.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long and this steep, the winning strategy is discipline early. Pin your effort to a sustainable percentage of your FTP rather than chasing the riders around you, because 12.7 km at 8.01% will expose any early overreach long before the summit. If you don't know your threshold, the FTP estimator will give you a working figure to pace against. Aim to arrive at the 12.62% ramps with something in reserve — those pitches are where poorly paced riders come apart. Keep your cadence smooth and your breathing controlled through the average-gradient stretches so the steep sections feel like a tax you can afford, not a wall.

Gearing

For an HC climb averaging 8.01% over 12.7 km, gear low and gear generously. A compact chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline: 34×32 will get most fit riders up the average gradient, but on the 12.62% ramps you'll be grateful for the extra relief of 34×34. If your legs or your fitness leave any doubt, take the 34×34 — spinning a low gear costs nothing and protects you across 1017 m of climbing, whereas grinding a gear that's too tall on a slope this steep drains you fast.

Summary

Puerto de la Magdalena is a genuine HC test: long, steep, and unbroken from base to summit. Respect the average, brace for the 12.62% spikes, and pace it like the hour-long effort it is.

Length: 12.7 km
Average gradient: 8.01%
Max gradient: 12.62%
Start: 300 m
Summit: 1317 m
Net gain: 1017 m
Total ascent: 999 m
Category: HC