Paso de Zarandona

Overview

Paso de Zarandona is a compact category-3 climb that packs a genuine effort into a short distance. Over 4.6 km you gain 296 m of net elevation, rising from a base of 529 m to a summit at 825 m. The average gradient sits at 6.46%, which is steep enough to matter but consistent enough that a well-judged rider can settle into a rhythm and hold it to the top. With a category-3 rating (harder than a 4, easier than the 2s, 1s, and the hors-catégorie monsters), it is the kind of climb that rewards pacing over heroics.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining trait of Zarandona is steadiness. A 6.46% average across 4.6 km means very few flat stretches to recover on, but it also means no single wall dominates the profile. The steepest recorded pitch is 8.63%, only a little over two points above the average, so the climb never truly spikes into leg-breaking territory. Expect the gradient to hover in the mid-single digits for long sections, with the sharpest ramp — that 8.63% pinch — arriving where you feel your legs most. The gap between the 296 m net gain and the 275 m of total ascent tells you the road climbs almost relentlessly upward, with minimal give-back along the way.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient is so even, Zarandona is a climb best ridden at a controlled, sustainable power rather than in surges. Aim to hold a percentage of your FTP that you know you can maintain for the full 4.6 km — for most riders that means sitting just below threshold and saving a small margin for the 8.63% ramp. Going out too hard on the lower slopes is the classic mistake here, since there is no flat section to bail you out later.

If you are not sure what your threshold is, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first, then set a target you can defend to the summit. On a climb this uniform, a rider who paces to their sustainable number will almost always beat one who attacks early and fades.

Gearing

At 6.46% average with an 8.63% maximum, Zarandona is climbable on modest gearing but far more comfortable with a compact setup. A 34×32 lowest gear gives most trained riders enough range to spin the steady mid-section without grinding, and it keeps your cadence high enough to protect your legs over the 4.6 km. If you climb at a lower cadence, carry extra weight, or simply want insurance for the 8.63% pitch, step up to a 34×34 — the extra range costs you nothing on the easier ramps and makes the steepest metres noticeably more manageable.

Summary

Paso de Zarandona is a short, honest climb: 4.6 km of steady effort with a 6.46% average and no cruel surprises beyond a single 8.63% ramp. Pace it to your threshold, gear it sensibly, and you will crest the 825 m summit with something left in the tank.

Length: 4.6 km
Average gradient: 6.46%
Max gradient: 8.63%
Start: 529 m
Summit: 825 m
Net gain: 296 m
Total ascent: 275 m
Category: 3