Alto del Manzanillo

Overview

Alto del Manzanillo is a category 1 climb that asks for patience. Over 14.9 km the road lifts you from 715 m at the base to 1606 m at the summit, a net gain of 891 m. The average gradient sits at 5.97%, the kind of number that looks moderate on paper but stacks up relentlessly across nearly fifteen kilometres. With a total ascent of 882 m recorded on the way up, this is a sustained effort rather than a series of walls, and it rewards riders who can settle into a rhythm and hold it.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is length, not savagery. A 5.97% average across 14.9 km means the climb rarely lets you coast, but it also never spikes into the truly brutal. The steepest recorded pitch tops out at 10.44%, just under twice the average, so the hardest ramps roughly double the effort you feel on the mellower stretches. Expect the road to breathe: sections a touch below 5.97% where you can recover, punctuated by steeper kicks reaching toward that 10.44% maximum. With 891 m of net gain and 882 m of total ascent, there is almost no descending mixed in, so the elevation you earn stays earned. Manage the ramps, keep something in reserve for the double-digit pitches, and the average will take care of itself.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats ambition. Ride the early kilometres a little below what feels comfortable, because 14.9 km at 5.97% punishes anyone who goes out too hard. A good target is to hold a steady effort just under your threshold, letting the steeper 10.44% ramps push you briefly higher without redlining. Knowing your FTP is the single most useful number for pacing an effort like this, since it lets you set a wattage ceiling and refuse to exceed it on the kicks. If you have not tested recently, the FTP estimator will give you a working figure to plan around. Aim to arrive at the 1606 m summit having spent evenly, not having survived a blow-up at two-thirds distance.

Gearing

With 891 m to climb and pitches reaching 10.44%, gear on the generous side. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. For most fit riders, 34×32 gives enough range to spin the steeper sections at the top of the climb rather than grinding them. If you weigh more, ride heavy, or simply want insurance for the double-digit ramps late in the 14.9 km, step up to 34×34 and keep your cadence high. On a sustained category 1 effort, an easier gear you never fully use is far better than one tooth too few when your legs are deep into the 882 m of accumulated ascent.

Summary

Alto del Manzanillo is a long, honest category 1 climb: 14.9 km of steady work at 5.97%, with just enough steepness at 10.44% to keep you honest. Pace it evenly, gear it generously, and the 891 m to the top become a satisfying ride rather than a struggle.

Length: 14.9 km
Average gradient: 5.97%
Max gradient: 10.44%
Start: 715 m
Summit: 1606 m
Net gain: 891 m
Total ascent: 882 m
Category: 1