Collado del Tejarillo

Overview

Collado del Tejarillo is a long, patient category 3 climb that rewards rhythm over raw power. It runs for 15 km, lifting you from 630 m at the base to a 1177 m summit — a net gain of 547 m. The average gradient sits at a modest 3.64%, which on paper reads as gentle, but the length is what defines the effort here. Fifteen kilometres of near-continuous uphill adds up, and the total ascent of 519 m tells you the road only occasionally lets off the gas. This is a climb you settle into, not one you attack from the bottom.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number — 3.64% average — hides a more textured reality. A steady 3.64% for 15 km would be metronomic, but this climb carries a max gradient of 9.74%, nearly three times the average. That gap means the ascent is uneven: long stretches of shallow, spinnable grade punctuated by sharper pitches that briefly bite toward double digits. The net gain of 547 m against a total ascent of 519 m confirms the road climbs almost the entire way, with little in the way of descending false flat to recover on. Expect to spend most of your time comfortably seated, saving your reserves for the handful of ramps that spike toward 9.74%.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long and this shallow, discipline beats aggression. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to hold a steady, sustainable output across the full 15 km rather than surging early. The 3.64% average is well within tempo range for most riders, so the danger is going out too hard and paying for it as the metres pile up. Save a margin above threshold for the 9.74% ramps, then settle back down once they pass. If you are unsure what wattage to target across a 547 m ascent, run your numbers through the FTP estimator first and pace to a figure you can actually hold to the top.

Gearing

Because the climb averages only 3.64%, you do not need ultra-compact gearing to survive it — but the 9.74% pitches make a comfortable bailout worthwhile, especially deep into a 15 km effort. A compact crankset paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default. A 34×32 will cover most riders through the steeper ramps while keeping a workable cadence on the shallow sections. If you tend to spin, prefer to stay seated, or expect tired legs by the 1177 m summit, a 34×34 buys you extra insurance on the 9.74% kickers without costing much elsewhere.

Summary

Collado del Tejarillo is a long, steady category 3 ascent best ridden with even pacing and a spinning cadence. The 3.64% average keeps it approachable, the 15 km length keeps it honest, and the 9.74% ramps keep you paying attention.

Length: 15 km
Average gradient: 3.64%
Max gradient: 9.74%
Start: 630 m
Summit: 1177 m
Net gain: 547 m
Total ascent: 519 m
Category: 3