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Passo de la Laguna Negra from San Juan de Pasto: what you need to know

Everything about cycling up Passo de la Laguna Negra from San Juan de Pasto

Passo de la Laguna Negra is a climb of 17.9 kilometers (hors catégorie). Passo de la Laguna Negra tops out at 3,225 m above sea level. It is located in San Juan de Pasto, Nariño, Colombia. The average gradient is 6.3% with a maximum of 15.1%. The climb has 1121 meters of elevation gain.

Elevation profile

Elevation profile

Climb statistics

Hors catégorie
Difficulty score: 1411 (Very hard)
Altitude
3,225 m
Distance
17.9 km
Avg. gradient
6.3 %
Max gradient
15.1 %
Elevation gain
1121 m
Steepest section: 15.1% (km 11.0)
Tips

Difficulty breakdown: The Passo de la Laguna Negra is a hors catégorie (HC) climb, 17.9 km long with an average gradient of 6.3% and 1121 m of elevation gain. The opening is very steep from KM 0.0-1.0, KM 1.0-2.0 and KM 2.0-3.0 (7 to 8%), then an almost flat stretch from KM 3.0-4.0 to KM 8.0-9.0 (-1 to 3%) gives you a breather. The difficulty returns with KM 9.0-10.0 through KM 13.0-14.0 (7 to 10%), and peaks at KM 14.0-15.0 at 11%, the hardest section of the climb. KM 16.0-17.0 at 7% adds one last test before the final descent.

Pacing tips:

1. Pace yourself from the bottom. Don't go off too hard over KM 0.0-1.0 and KM 1.0-2.0 at 8%, because the climb is long and the finish is brutal.

2. Make the most of the flat. Recover on KM 5.0-6.0 and KM 6.0-7.0 at 1%, where you can ease off the pace and get your legs back.

3. Save something for the finale. On KM 13.0-14.0 at 10% and then KM 14.0-15.0 at 11%, settle into a steady rhythm and keep some energy in the tank for KM 16.0-17.0 at 7%.

About the climbs to this summit

For cyclists who have climbed Laguna Negra, the experience often starts with an accessible climb. Riders' reports describe a road that is "bastante llano" over the first few kilometres, which is a good way to warm up the legs gently while enjoying the scenery. Some even say the area is "bastante plana para ir en bici", making it an ideal approach to get the legs going.

The payoff matches the effort. At the summit, above 2,000 metres, riders describe vistas espectaculares over the high mountains and the deep valleys below. The views are called "impresionante" and "precioso", and on a clear day you can make out the Picos de Urbión. Several reports stress that the beauty of the place lies in its wild, unspoiled character, a "parque natural perfectamente cuidada".

The atmosphere up there is described as peaceful and calming. Riders feel a real sense of stillness, far from the hustle, where you can take in the lagoons, the pine forests and the local wildlife. This quiet adds to an immersive experience in nature, though some reports warn that you should watch out for winter conditions, as the road can be cut off after heavy snowfall.

Finally, riders appreciate being able to tailor their effort. Some have driven up to a nearby parking area for a shorter climb, while others chose to start lower down for a longer, more complete outing. That flexibility, combined with good road surfaces and a well-kept environment, makes Laguna Negra a climb that is as enjoyable as it is memorable.

Estimated times

17.9 km • 1121 m D+

Leisure 3h 40min
4.9 km/h 350 m/h
Regular 2h 20min
7.7 km/h 550 m/h
Trained 1h 35min
11.3 km/h 800 m/h
Climber 1h 10min
15.3 km/h 1100 m/h
Pro 50min
21.5 km/h 1600 m/h

VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain

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