Puerto de Jamarizos

Overview

Puerto de Jamarizos is a category 3 climb that trades ferocity for length. Over 9.5 km it lifts you from 709 m to a summit of 1062 m, a net gain of 353 m at an average gradient of 3.7%. Those numbers describe a road that never truly relents but rarely overwhelms — the kind of ascent you settle into rather than survive. The recorded total ascent of 339 m sits just under the net figure, confirming that this is an almost uninterrupted upward drag with little in the way of dips or false descents to break the rhythm.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 3.7% average across 9.5 km is deceptively gentle on paper, but the 9.14% maximum tells you the road does bare its teeth. Expect long shallow stretches where you can hold momentum, punctuated by steeper pitches that climb toward that 9.14% ceiling. Because the total ascent (339 m) so closely matches the net gain (353 m), the profile is remarkably consistent: what goes up mostly stays up. That means the steep ramps are localized bites rather than sustained walls, and the effort is defined more by duration than by any single crux.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this evenly graded, discipline pays. Aim to hold a steady power just below your threshold and let the 3.7% average do the metering for you. Your FTP is the number to anchor to here — settle into roughly tempo-to-sweet-spot effort on the shallow sections and resist the urge to surge, saving matches for the pitches nearing 9.14%. If you do not know your threshold, run your recent efforts through the FTP estimator before you go, then translate that into a target you can hold for the full 9.5 km without redlining early.

Gearing

Because the sustained gradient is modest, most riders will spin comfortably in familiar ratios — but the 9.14% ramps reward a bailout gear. A compact chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible default. A 34×32 will carry strong climbers over the steep pitches with cadence to spare, while a 34×34 gives less experienced riders or anyone climbing on tired legs the extra margin to keep spinning rather than grinding. On a 3.7% average climb neither will feel excessive; the goal is to preserve a smooth cadence across all 9.5 km so the short steep sections never force you out of the saddle unwillingly.

Summary

Puerto de Jamarizos is a rewarding tempo climb: long enough to settle into, steep enough in places to keep you honest, but never brutal. Pace it evenly, gear conservatively for the 9.14% ramps, and the 353 m of climbing to 1062 m unfolds as a satisfying, sustainable effort rather than a suffer-fest.

Length: 9.5 km
Average gradient: 3.7%
Max gradient: 9.14%
Start: 709 m
Summit: 1062 m
Net gain: 353 m
Total ascent: 339 m
Category: 3