El Maigmó: The brutal 16% climb to Alt de les Xemeneies
El Maigmó is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,192 meters (3,910 ft) above sea level, located in the L'Alcoià region of Alicante, Spain. The road to the summit, often referred to as Alt de les Xemeneies, is a technical and punishing climb that scales the limestone heights of the Costa Blanca interior. The physical reality of this route involves managing a narrow, recently paved ribbon of asphalt that hits extreme gradients, where the lack of space forces drivers to perform high-precision maneuvers on steep ramps when meeting oncoming traffic.
| Road facts: El Maigmó (Alt de les Xemeneies) | |
|---|---|
| Location | Alicante, Spain |
| Elevation | 1,192m (3,910ft) |
| Max Gradient | 16% |
| Elevation Gain | 566 meters |
How challenging is the 16% climb of the El Maigmó road?
The 5.4-kilometer ascent from the CV-815 road is a total torture test for the motor. With an average gradient of 10.5% and several ramps hitting a brutal 16%, the climb requires constant work in first or second gear. The logistics of the drive are complicated by the thinness of the asphalt; it’s so narrow that if you encounter another vehicle, you’ll have to maneuver on the very edge of the road, often putting your wheels into the rough gravel shoulder. The steepness means that restarting the car after stopping to let someone pass puts a massive load on the clutch and the transmission, especially on the final stretches toward the communication towers.
What are the hazards on the Alt de les Xemeneies route?
The primary hazard on El Maigmó is the vertical drop combined with the lack of safety barriers. The road clings to the limestone ridge, and the steep ramps can cause the front wheels of lighter vehicles to lose traction if the surface is damp or covered in pine needles. The physical reality of the descent is even more critical: with a 10.5% average drop, you can’t rely on the brake pedal alone or you’ll glaze the pads before you’re halfway down. You have to use engine braking and let the gears hold the car back. While traffic is thin, the service vans for the towers and occasional hikers make the narrow blind corners a constant risk.
What is the logistical reality of the Maigmó summit?
At 1,192 meters, the summit is a high-vibration environment crowned with massive communication masts. There are zero services or turn-around spots until you reach the very top, meaning you are committed to the climb once you start. The asphalt is fresh but the sun in Alicante degrades it quickly, making it "greasy" during the hottest hours of the day. If the car starts to run hot because of the low-speed, high-rev climb, there is nowhere to pull over without blocking the entire road. In winter, even though it's the Costa Blanca, sudden ice on the 16% ramps can turn the descent into a friction-less slide toward the ravine.
What mechanical prep is needed for the 1,192m Alicante climb?
Before you tackle El Maigmó, check your cooling system and make sure the fans kick in early; a 5.4km climb at 10.5% will make any engine suffer. Verify your brake fluid levels and pad thickness, as the descent is a relentless grind on the calipers. Your tires need good grip to handle the 16% ramps without spinning out. It’s also wise to check your battery and alternator, as the high-load climb and the heat of the L'Alcoià region put a lot of stress on the electrical system. In this part of Alicante, your car’s mechanical integrity is the only thing standing between a clean summit and a very difficult recovery on a narrow mountain ledge.