Portezuelo de Huinchuta is a climb of 53.1 kilometers (category 1). Portezuelo de Huinchuta tops out at 4,672 m above sea level. It is located in Colchane, Región de Tarapacá, Chile. The average gradient is 2.0% with a maximum of 9.7%. The climb has 1051 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: This 53.1 km climb is atypical. The profile is mostly flat or false flat (gradient ≤ 1% over 28 km) with a very rolling first section. The real difficulty is concentrated in the last 15 km, where the gradient regularly goes past 4-5%, forming the actual "climb" after a long approach. The 1051m of total elevation gain justifies the Cat 1 rating, but the length is the main challenge.
Tips for managing the effort:
1. Pacing: Resist the urge to go hard over the first 40 km, which are very flat. Use them to ride at endurance pace and save your legs for the steep final section.
2. Fueling and hydration: With the effort lasting often more than 1h30, you need a disciplined nutrition plan. Drink and eat regularly from the start.
3. Final effort: Expect the gradient to ramp up from KM 40. Keep something in the tank for the 5% sections (KM 46-53) and select a gear that suits the climb.
53.1 km • 1051 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
Join thousands of cycling fans! Plan your rides, record your performance, track your progress and discover the finest climbs.
Live climb profile to pace your effort all the way to the top.
