El Brezal is a climb of 6.7 kilometers (category 1). El Brezal tops out at 535 m above sea level. It is located in Santa María de Guía de Gran Canaria, Canarias, España. The average gradient is 7.5% with a maximum of 18.7%. The climb has 506 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: At 6.7 km, with an average gradient of 7.5% and 506 m of elevation gain, El Brezal is a demanding Category 1 climb. The real challenge is the consistency: the sections from km 0.0 to km 2.0 and from km 3.5 to km 4.0 sit between 6 and 9%, with no real respite. The final part is the hardest, with 10% between km 4.5 and km 5.5, then 12% between km 5.5 and km 6.0. Only km 4.0-4.5 (3%) and km 6.0-6.5 (4%) offer a bit of breathing room.
Tips for managing your effort:
1. Pace yourself from the bottom. In the first two kilometres, at 6-7%, stay below your threshold so you still have something in the tank before the 10% section from km 2.0 to km 2.5.
2. Recover on the 3% section. Use km 4.0-4.5 to drink, eat and loosen your legs while keeping a smooth cadence.
3. Prepare for the finale with an easy gear. Shift to a manageable gear from km 4.5, because the 10% then 12% gradients between km 5.5 and km 6.0 call for a steady cadence and good rhythm control.
Cyclists who have climbed El Brezal describe being immersed in a unique natural landscape, a preserved remnant of the island's old forests. They talk about riding up through "el brezal más importante de la isla", a "bosque de brezos espectacular" and "naturaleza en estado puro" that gives a real break from urban life.
The ride is defined by the tranquillity and serenity of the place. Riders stress the quiet, where you hear nothing but "los ruedo solo pájaros y animales", and the feeling of "aire limpio y paz". It's a climb that lets you get "perderse por ahí" and reconnect with well-preserved nature.
The road passes through an area with visitor facilities that riders appreciate, such as the merenderos with barbacoas. However, some cyclists mention that access can be "un poco complicado", something to factor into your planning before heading out.
At the top or in the surrounding area, climbers can enjoy "vistas inmejorables" over the ravines and countryside. The atmosphere is described as family-friendly and relaxed, perfect for a well-earned recovery after the effort, in a setting that makes you feel you're discovering "lo más bonito de Gran Canaria".
6.7 km • 506 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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