Alto de Arboledas

Overview

Alto de Arboledas is a long, steady Category 2 climb that rewards patience over punch. It runs 16.3 km from a base at 668 m to a summit of 1470 m, a net gain of 802 m, and it does that work at a moderate 4.91% average gradient. On paper that number reads friendly, but 16.3 km is a long time to hold a rhythm, and the climb hides a maximum pitch of 10.47% that will test riders who spend the lower slopes over their limit. This is a tempo climb: the challenge is duration and consistency rather than a single wall.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Arboledas is the gap between its average and its maximum. A 4.91% mean spread over 16.3 km means long stretches sit near or just below that figure, giving you a genuine rhythm to settle into. But the recorded max of 10.47% is more than double the average, so the gradient is not uniform — expect ramps that pull well into double digits, offset by flatter recovery sections that bring the mean back down. Note too that the total ascent of 786 m is 16 m short of the 802 m net gain, meaning the road climbs almost monotonically with very little descending. Nearly every metre you gain, you keep.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing discipline is everything. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to sit just below threshold on the sustained 4.91% sections, holding a little back in reserve for the steeper ramps toward 10.47% so those spikes don't blow your legs 16.3 km is far too long to burn matches early. If you don't know your threshold number, run your recent efforts through the FTP estimator before you plan the ascent. A good rule of thumb: ride the first third conservatively, settle into tempo through the middle, and only lift the pace once the summit at 1470 m is within reach.

Gearing

With an average of 4.91% but pitches touching 10.47%, gearing choice comes down to how you handle the steep ramps after fifteen-plus kilometres of climbing. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is a sensible baseline for strong riders who can hold tempo comfortably. If you're less confident on the double-digit sections, or simply want to protect your legs across the full 16.3 km, size up to 34×34 for extra spin room on the 10.47% ramps. The lower gear costs you nothing on the shallower stretches and buys real insurance when fatigue arrives late.

Summary

Alto de Arboledas is a long tempo test: 16.3 km, 802 m of climbing, and a steady 4.91% average punctuated by ramps up to 10.47%. Pace it patiently, gear for the steep sections, and it becomes one of the more satisfying sustained efforts you can ride.

Length: 16.3 km
Average gradient: 4.91%
Max gradient: 10.47%
Start: 668 m
Summit: 1470 m
Net gain: 802 m
Total ascent: 786 m
Category: 2