Passo de la Laguna Negra is a climb of 19.2 kilometers (hors catégorie). Passo de la Laguna Negra tops out at 3,225 m above sea level. It is located in Tangua, Nariño, Colombia. The average gradient is 6.5% with a maximum of 17.7%. The climb has 1255 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: At 19.2 km, with an average gradient of 6.5% and 1255 m of elevation gain, the Passo de la Laguna Negra fully earns its Hors Catégorie rating. The first three kilometres, at 10-11% (KM 0.0-1.0 and KM 1.0-2.0 at 10%, KM 2.0-3.0 at 10%), set the tone from the off and force you to ride within yourself. The rest alternates between tough sections, like KM 12.0-13.0 at 9% or KM 16.0-17.0 at 8%, and more rolling stretches, which wear the legs down over time.
Tips for pacing the climb:
1. Don't go out too hard. On KM 0.0-3.0, where the gradient hits 10-11%, stay in the saddle and find a steady rhythm that saves something in the tank for later.
2. Recover on KM 7.0-8.0. This slight downhill section (-4%) is your chance to catch your breath, drink and fuel up before the second half of the climb.
3. Save something for the finish. KM 18.0-19.0 at 1% gives you a chance to push on, but KM 19.0-19.2 kicks back up to 9%: keep a bit of energy in reserve to get over those final 200 metres.
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.
19.2 km • 1255 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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