Alto de La Montaña

Overview

Alto de La Montaña is a Category 1 climb that asks a serious question of your legs and lungs. Over 13.1 km it lifts you from 642 m at its base to a summit of 1589 m, a net elevation gain of 947 m. The average gradient sits at 7.22%, which is steep enough that there is nowhere to truly hide, and the total ascent of 977 m confirms the road tilts up almost the entire way with only fleeting dips. This is a sustained effort, not a punchy sprint, and the difficulty comes from how relentlessly the grade holds.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The signature of this climb is consistency punctuated by menace. A 7.22% average across 13.1 km means the road rarely eases below a working gradient, so you settle into a rhythm and stay there for a long time. What breaks that rhythm is the max gradient of 18.31%, more than double the average and a genuine wall wherever it appears. The gap between the 977 m total ascent and the 947 m net gain is small, telling you there are almost no recovery descents to reset your legs. Expect long stretches near the average with sharp ramps that force you out of the saddle, then a return to the grind.

Pacing Notes

Because the climb is long and steady, discipline matters more than firepower here. The smartest approach is to ride the sustained sections just under threshold and save your matches for the steep ramps toward the 18.31% max, where the effort spikes involuntarily. Anchor your pacing to your FTP: on a 13.1 km climb gaining 947 m, going even slightly too hard in the first third will cost you badly in the final kilometres. If you are unsure of your number, run it through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. Aim to crest the summit having spent evenly, not having blown apart on a single ramp.

Gearing

With a 7.22% average sustained over 13.1 km and pitches touching 18.31%, gearing is your friend. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible starting point. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steady sections without grinding, but on the steepest ramps toward the max gradient you will be grateful for more range. If you have any doubt about your climbing legs or want to protect them across the full 947 m of ascent, fit a 34×34. The lower gear lets you spin rather than mash through the 18.31% pitches, keeping your cadence up and your torque down.

Summary

Alto de La Montaña is a long, honest Category 1 climb: 13.1 km of sustained 7.22% gradient, a wall of up to 18.31%, and 947 m of net gain to a 1589 m summit. Pace it with restraint, gear it generously, and it rewards you with one of the most satisfying summits a fit climber can chase.

Length: 13.1 km
Average gradient: 7.22%
Max gradient: 18.31%
Start: 642 m
Summit: 1589 m
Net gain: 947 m
Total ascent: 977 m
Category: 1