Col du Zegotta

Col du Zegotta cycling climb profile

Col du Zegotta is a short, manageable category 4 climb in Morocco: 4.4 km at an average gradient of 4.7%, starting at 116 m and topping out at 321 m. The net elevation gain is 205 m, which makes the climb more of a controlled aerobic effort than a long mountain test.

The key detail is the relationship between the average gradient and the maximum gradient. An average of 4.7% over 4.4 km tells you the climb is not consistently steep, but the 7.72% maximum means it is not completely passive either. The smart read is a mostly moderate ascent with at least one sharper pitch that can push riders out of rhythm if they ride the lower-gradient sections too aggressively.

How the gradient should feel

Because the climb gains its height over a compact distance, Col du Zegotta is likely to feel steady rather than grinding. The opening should be treated as a settling phase: get into a sustainable cadence, keep pressure on the pedals, and avoid turning the first minutes into a threshold test unless the goal is a hard effort.

The steeper sections matter because they are relatively high compared with the climb’s average. A jump from the general 4.7% character to a maximum of 7.72% is enough to change torque demand, especially for heavier riders or anyone already riding close to /glossary/ftp. That is where pacing discipline pays off. If the climb is being ridden for time, the best approach is not to surge every time the road tilts up, but to let power rise slightly while keeping the effort controlled.

Pacing and gearing notes

For most riders, Col du Zegotta is a climb to ride seated, smooth, and progressive. The 4.4 km length is short enough that a well-trained rider can sustain a firm tempo, but long enough that an early overreach will still be punished before the summit.

Practical approach:

• Start below target effort and let the first part of the climb come to you.
• Use a gear that keeps cadence fluid on the 4.7% average sections.
• Shift early when the gradient moves toward the 7.72% maximum, rather than waiting until cadence collapses.
• If riding by power, cap the steepest moments just above planned intensity, then return to rhythm quickly.
• If riding by feel, keep breathing controlled until the final portion, then lift the effort only once the summit is clearly within reach.

Bottom line

Col du Zegotta is not a brute-force climb, but it rewards riders who pace with intent. Its category 4 rating, moderate average gradient, and short length make it accessible, while the steeper maximum pitch gives it enough bite to separate steady climbers from riders who waste energy with repeated accelerations. Treat it as a compact aerobic climb with a few sharper demands, choose gearing for cadence rather than ego, and save the hardest effort for the upper part of the ascent.