Paso de Núñez

Paso de Núñez cycling climb profile

Paso de Núñez is a compact category 4 climb: 1.1 km long, with an average gradient of 7.41 percent, starting at 670 m and topping out at 754 m. On paper, that makes it less a long aerobic grind and more a short, controlled effort where the main mistake is riding the first half as if the summit is already in sight.

The net elevation gain is listed at 84 m, which fits the feel of a climb that asks for sustained pressure rather than repeated accelerations. The supplied profile also lists total ascent as 43 m, which conflicts with the net elevation gain, so the cleanest practical read is to treat Paso de Núñez as a short, steady uphill effort and pace from the average gradient and start-to-summit elevation change rather than from the ascent field alone.

How the gradient unfolds

The key number is the 7.41 percent average. Over only 1.1 km, that is enough to punish hesitation in gearing, but not long enough to reward an overly conservative approach. You are unlikely to need a full climb-by-climb survival plan, but you do need to avoid the classic short-climb error: surging hard from the base, then spending the final section above threshold with no ability to change rhythm.

One caveat matters. The data lists a maximum gradient of 5.12 percent, which is lower than the listed average gradient. Those two fields cannot both describe a normal rising profile, so the maximum-gradient figure should be treated as a data-quality flag rather than as a tactical feature. In practical terms, ride the climb as a steady mid-to-high single-digit gradient, not as a ramped wall with a decisive steep pitch.

Pacing and gearing

Because the climb is short, the best pacing is assertive but not explosive. Settle quickly into a gear you can turn smoothly, then let the effort rise over the final portion if the legs are there. If you are using power, this is the kind of climb where riding just over /glossary/ftp can make sense for a strong rider, but only if the opening minute stays controlled.

Gearing should prioritize cadence stability. Do not wait until the gradient has already loaded the legs before shifting. Enter the climb in a climbing gear, keep torque manageable, and avoid standing accelerations unless you are deliberately finishing the effort.

Ride takeaway

Paso de Núñez is simple, but not passive. Its 1.1 km length tempts riders into treating it like a sprint, while its 7.41 percent average makes that approach expensive. The fastest ride is likely the boring one: smooth entry, steady pressure through the middle, and a measured lift toward the summit at 754 m.