Puerto de Joyumenor

Overview

Puerto de Joyumenor is a short, honest category 3 climb in Spain — the kind of effort that fits neatly into a bigger day without dominating it. It runs 3.5 km from a low base of 46 m to a summit of 248 m, giving a net elevation gain of 202 m. At an average gradient of 5.7% it never tips into truly brutal territory, but with a maximum pitch of 7.58% it has enough bite to reward a rider who paces it well and to punish one who starts too hot.

At just 3.5 km this is a climb you can commit to fully. There is no need to ration effort across a long haul; the whole thing is over in a handful of minutes for most riders. That makes it an ideal proving ground for testing a hard, sustained tempo effort.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline numbers tell a clear story. Over 3.5 km the road gains 202 m in net height, which produces the 5.7% average. Note that the total ascent is 185 m — slightly less than the 202 m net gain would suggest on a perfectly monotonic climb, which points to a road that mostly climbs steadily rather than rolling up and down.

The gap between the 5.7% average and the 7.58% maximum is modest. That narrow spread is the signature of a consistent climb: no savage ramps, no long false flats to break the rhythm. Expect the gradient to hover close to the average for much of the ascent, stiffening toward that 7.58% pitch where the road steepens before easing back to the summit.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short and this even, the winning tactic is to ride at or just above your sustainable threshold. Your FTP is the number to anchor to here. Because the summit arrives after only 3.5 km, you can afford to hold a few percent above FTP for the whole ascent — this is closer to a long interval than a survival grind.

If you do not know your current FTP, estimate it before you plan your effort with the FTP estimator. Aim to reach the steepest section — the 7.58% pitch — with enough in reserve to hold cadence rather than grinding to a lurching, out-of-the-saddle crawl. Settle in for the first kilometre, hold steady through the middle, then press over the top.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 5.7% with a maximum of 7.58%, most riders will be comfortable on a compact setup. A 34×32 bottom gear is plenty for holding a smooth seated cadence on the steeper pitches, and for stronger climbers it may even leave a gear in reserve. If you prefer to spin, or you are tackling Joyumenor deep into a long ride with tired legs, a 34×34 gives you extra margin over that 7.58% ramp without any real downside. Neither gradient here demands anything more exotic — the difference between 34×32 and 34×34 is simply how much you want to protect your knees and cadence on the day.

Summary

Puerto de Joyumenor is a compact, consistent category 3 climb: short enough to attack, steady enough to reward good pacing, and just steep enough to matter. Anchor your effort to threshold, respect the 7.58% pinch, and it will pass quickly.

Length: 3.5 km
Average gradient: 5.7%
Max gradient: 7.58%
Start: 46 m
Summit: 248 m
Net gain: 202 m
Total ascent: 185 m
Category: 3