Paso de Zapahuira is a climb of 98.6 kilometers (hors catégorie). Paso de Zapahuira tops out at 3,349 m above sea level. It is located in Arica, Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile. The average gradient is 3.8% with a maximum of 14.4%. The climb has 3713 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: At 98.6 km with 3713m of climbing, this hors catégorie ascent is an extreme endurance test. The difficulty lies in its length and its uneven profile. The first half (KM 0-50) features moderate gradients (1-3%), ideal for finding a rhythm. The real pain starts after KM 40, with sustained sections at 6-9% (KM 40-50, 53-54, 67-79) that hammer your legs and your cardiovascular system.
How to manage the effort:
1. Pacing: Resist the urge to go too hard in the first 40 kilometres. Use those gentler sections to settle into a steady cadence and save your energy for the harder stuff.
2. Know your key sections: Mentally mark the steepest sections (e.g. KM 47 at 9%, KM 71-75 at 7-8%). Drop into an easier gear as you approach them to keep your heart rate under control.
3. Strategic fueling: The duration of the effort (over 3h for the fastest riders) demands constant hydration and calorie intake. Plan your feeds before the tough sections to avoid bonking.
98.6 km • 3713 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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