Alto del Morrón

Overview

Alto del Morrón is a Category 1 climb in Colombia (CO), running 23.8 km from base to summit. It starts at 636 m and tops out at 1,861 m, for a net elevation gain of 1,225 m at an average gradient of 5.14%. On paper that is a long, moderate ascent — the kind of number that suggests a steady tempo you can settle into and hold for the better part of an hour or more.

The paper number lies, though. The climb records 2,100 m of total ascent against just 1,225 m of net gain. That 875 m difference is elevation you gain, give back on descents, and then have to climb a second time. An undulating profile like this punishes riders who pace to the average: every dip resets your rhythm and forces repeated accelerations, so the true cost of Alto del Morrón is meaningfully higher than the 5.14% headline implies.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 5.14% average across a rolling climb means the real gradients live at both extremes — shallow drags and false flats on one side, sharp kickers on the other. The steep pitches are where the effort concentrates; the flatter zones are recovery, not rest. Expect the road to hand back altitude repeatedly, which is where those extra 875 m of ascent come from.

• Flatter and false-flat sections that read as recovery but keep you pedalling
• Short descents that break rhythm and demand you re-climb the lost metres
• Repeated punchy ramps stacked through the middle of the profile
• A steepest ramp well above the 5.14% average — treat it as the decisive pitch

Pacing Notes

On a smooth climb you can chase even speed. On Alto del Morrón, chase even effort instead. Pin your target to a sustainable power output and hold that band through both the ramps and the false flats — resist the urge to over-drive the steep kickers just because the descents feel free. The undulation means even-speed pacing will spike your power on every ramp and waste it on every dip; even-effort keeps you solvent for all 23.8 km. If you do not know your numbers, run the FTP estimator first and set your climbing band from there.

Gearing

Gearing is dictated by the steepest ramps, not the average. For a Category 1 climb of this length, fit a compact (50/34) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — 34×32 or 34×34 — so you can spin the kickers without grinding your legs into the ground early. With 23.8 km and 2,100 m of total ascent ahead, a bailout gear is not a luxury. Check your setup before the ride, not at the base.

Summary

• Length: 23.8 km
• Average gradient: 5.14%
• Net elevation gain: 1,225 m
• Total ascent: 2,100 m
• Category: 1

Alto del Morrón rewards patience and honest pacing. Respect the gap between its 1,225 m net gain and 2,100 m of total ascent, ride to effort rather than speed, and carry the gearing to survive the ramps — do that, and the summit at 1,861 m comes to you.