Coll del Gravat

Overview

Coll del Gravat is an 11 km climb in Spain that rewards patience over raw power. From a start elevation of just 19 m, the road works its way up to a 426 m summit, delivering a net elevation gain of 407 m. The average gradient sits at a friendly 3.69%, which places this firmly in category 3 territory — a step up from the gentle rollers but well short of the leg-snapping HC monsters. Total ascent across the effort comes to 390 m, meaning the profile is almost all up with barely a breather to interrupt the rhythm.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number for shape here is the gap between the 3.69% average and the 8.13% maximum. That spread tells you the climb is not uniform: long stretches will feel easier than the average suggests, offset by a handful of sharper ramps that push past 8%. Because the net gain of 407 m sits slightly above the total ascent of 390 m, the road climbs relentlessly with almost no descending to give back altitude — every metre you gain, you keep. Expect a climb that lulls you into a comfortable tempo before a steeper pitch nudges the heart rate up, then relents again. The 8.13% maximum is the moment to be ready for; everything else is manageable if you hold something in reserve.

Pacing Notes

At 11 km with a 3.69% average, this is a sustained tempo effort rather than an all-out sprint. Ride the gentler sections just below your FTP so you have headroom when the gradient bites toward 8.13%. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go, then set a wattage ceiling and refuse to exceed it on the shallow pitches. The classic mistake on a climb like this is burning matches early on the easy grades; with 407 m of gain to work through, discipline in the opening kilometres pays off near the top. Settle in, breathe, and let the summit come to you.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 3.69% with ramps to 8.13%, a compact setup covers you comfortably. A 34×32 low gear is plenty for most riders to spin the steeper pitches without grinding, keeping your cadence high through the 8% sections. If you carry extra weight, prefer a lower cadence, or simply want insurance for the sharpest ramp, step up to a 34×34 — the extra range costs you nothing on the shallow gradients and gives you a safety valve when the road tilts up. On a category 3 effort of this length, the bigger sprocket is cheap peace of mind.

Summary

Coll del Gravat is a steady, satisfying category 3 climb: long enough to matter, gentle enough to enjoy, with just enough gradient at 8.13% to keep you honest. Pace the shallow sections, gear for the steep ones, and the 426 m summit is well within reach.

Length: 11 km
Average gradient: 3.69%
Max gradient: 8.13%
Start: 19 m
Summit: 426 m
Net gain: 407 m
Total ascent: 390 m
Category: 3