Puerto de Chirino cycling climb profile
Puerto de Chirino is a short Spanish category 4 climb, measuring 1.6 km at an average gradient of 6.8%. It starts at 73 m and tops out at 182 m, giving 109 m of net elevation gain from bottom to summit.
That combination tells you the main thing that matters on the bike: this is not a climb where patience across a long duration decides the outcome. It is a compact effort where the risk is going too hard in the opening minute, then paying for it before the summit. The average gradient is enough to force sustained pressure on the pedals, but the length keeps it closer to a sharp threshold or over-threshold effort than a full mountain climb.
How the gradient unfolds
The available profile points to a steady climb rather than a climb defined by violent ramps. The average gradient is 6.8%, while the listed maximum gradient is 6.51%. Since that maximum sits below the stated average, the dataset is internally inconsistent on this point, so the practical read should be conservative: treat Puerto de Chirino as a short, mostly even ascent rather than planning for a specific steep pitch.
From a pacing perspective, that matters. On a climb this short, any early surge above sustainable power has limited tactical upside unless you are attacking or chasing. The gradient is hard enough that speed will drop quickly if cadence collapses, but not so steep that you need to ride it like a wall. The fastest approach for most riders is to settle immediately, avoid a standing acceleration at the base, then lift the effort once the summit is close enough that fading is unlikely.
Pacing and gearing notes
For riders pacing by power, Puerto de Chirino sits in the zone where /glossary/ftp matters more than pure climbing endurance. If you know your threshold, the cleanest execution is to ride the first part just controlled, then let the final section drift harder if the legs are responding. Going deep from the bottom can work because the climb is only 1.6 km, but it is a narrow bet: if you overshoot, there is not much terrain to recover on.
Gearing should prioritize cadence control. With an average gradient of 6.8%, most riders will want a climbing gear available before the road bites rather than shifting under full torque. Stay seated where possible, keep the upper body quiet, and use any brief easing in gradient to regain rhythm rather than to coast.
Puerto de Chirino is small on paper, but it is still a real climb. Its difficulty comes from compression: 109 m of net gain packed into a short category 4 ascent. Ride it smoothly, keep one gear in reserve early, and the summit comes before the effort has time to become a prolonged grind.