Paso de Los Carrizos

Paso de Los Carrizos cycling climb profile

Paso de Los Carrizos is a compact, measured Category 3 climb in Chile: 5.6 km long, rising from 414 m to 681 m. On paper, the 4.79 percent average gradient makes it look manageable, and broadly, that is the correct read. This is not a climb defined by extreme steepness. Its difficulty comes from holding a steady climbing effort for long enough that poor pacing starts to show.

The listed maximum gradient is 7.68 percent, which is an important detail because it tells you the climb has bite without becoming a wall. The gap between the average gradient and the maximum suggests a profile that is mostly moderate, with steeper ramps that can push you above your preferred rhythm if you chase speed too early.

How the gradient rides

With 267 m of net elevation gain between the start and summit, Paso de Los Carrizos asks for controlled pressure on the pedals rather than repeated accelerations. The average gradient sits just under 5 percent, so most riders will be able to stay seated for long stretches and keep the effort aerobic if they respect the opening phase.

The key is not to confuse moderate gradient with free speed. On a climb of 5.6 km, small pacing errors compound. Riding the lower slopes a little too hard will not feel costly immediately, but once the road tilts toward its steeper sections, especially anything approaching the 7.68 percent maximum, that early overreach will force a choice: grind a heavier gear or back off and lose rhythm.

The climb also has a slight data wrinkle: the start and summit elevations imply 267 m of net gain, while the listed total ascent is 247 m. That kind of mismatch can come from smoothing or source differences, but it does not change the practical reading. Treat the climb as a steady uphill effort with enough gradient variation to punish sloppy pacing.

Pacing and gearing notes

The best approach is a controlled build. Start below your target climbing intensity, settle into a cadence you can maintain, then let the effort rise as the summit gets closer. If you ride with power, this is a climb where holding near threshold may be possible for a fit rider, but only if the early pacing is disciplined. For pacing reference, see /glossary/ftp.

Gearing should prioritize cadence over force. Because the steepest recorded gradient is 7.68 percent, you do not need ultra-low mountain gearing in normal conditions, but you do need a gear that lets you stay seated when the road pitches up. If you are forced into a low-cadence grind on the steeper ramps, you likely started too hard or chose too ambitious a gear.

For training, Paso de Los Carrizos fits well as a sustained tempo or threshold climb. For racing or a hard group ride, it is selective enough to expose riders who surge early, but not steep enough to guarantee separation by gradient alone. The winning tactic is simple: keep the effort smooth, protect cadence, and save the real pressure for the upper part of the climb.