Puerto de Erjos is a climb of 14.6 kilometers (hors catégorie). The climb finishes at 1,108 m above sea level. It is located in Los Silos, Canarias, España. The average gradient is 6.9% with a maximum of 19.3%. The climb has 1009 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty analysis: Puerto de Erjos is a demanding HC climb, with 1009 m of elevation gain over 14.6 km and an average gradient of 6.9%. The real difficulty is concentrated in the first 3 km, where the gradient hits 13-14% for nearly 400 m of climbing. After that, the road keeps going at 4-7% all the way to the summit, which grinds your legs down over time.
Tips for pacing the effort:
1. Pace the start Over km 0.0 to 3.0, at 13-14%, don't go out too hard. Find a sustainable rhythm, because how you handle these first few km will set up the rest of the climb.
2. Recover at the right time Make the most of the km 5.0-6.0 section, where the gradient drops to -1%, to spin out your legs, catch your breath and get ready for what comes next.
3. Manage the long haul Over km 6.0 to 14.6, where gradients range between 4 and 7%, hold a steady cadence, stay seated when you can and fuel up early and often.
Most of the feedback is about a lookout pass. Many people stop here for the view over the Teide, and several say they could see the Santiago del Teide valley and the sea at the same time, with Los Gigantes across the way. Some find the scenery superb, others just find it pretty, but the point comes up again and again.
The road is described as narrow and full of bends. One account mentions 40 to 45 minutes of switchbacks to climb from the north of the island, and another finds it steep and narrow, while still feeling the arrival is worth the effort. The reports don't give gradient figures or the exact width of the road surface, so it's best to go by these general impressions.
What comes up most is the contrast between the north and south of the island. People notice the difference in vegetation between the windward and the sheltered slopes, with laurisilva, pine and heather in places, and vineyards in the valley. The pass is also the starting point for several trails, towards Teno Natural Park, Masca or Monte del Agua. Most of the reports come from hikers and drivers rather than cyclists, so keep in mind that the experience described is mostly that of walking and driving.
The downsides come up too. The car park is small: reports mention room for 3 or 4 cars in one spot, 5 elsewhere, and 8 to 10 at another. At peak times spaces are scarce because of tourists. One report notes there's no place to rest at the viewpoint. Another warns that several rental cars have been broken into and emptied, five according to the account, so keep an eye on your belongings. In summer it's hot and dry, as one report from July points out. One of the starting trails was under works at the time of the visit.
14.6 km • 1009 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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