How steep is the 22% gradient of Collado del Alguacil in La Vuelta?
Collado del Alguacil is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,896 meters (6,220 ft) above sea level in Granada, in Spain. Located in the northwestern part of the Sierra Nevada range, the paved climb starting from Güéjar Sierra features extreme ramps reaching maximum gradients between 21% and 23% in the opening kilometers.
| Road facts: Collado del Alguacil | |
|---|---|
| Location | Güéjar Sierra, Granada, Andalusia (Spain) |
| Elevation | 1,896 m (6,220 ft) |
| Length | 8.3 km (5.15 miles) from Güéjar Sierra |
| Elevation Gain | 816 m (2,677 ft) |
| Average Gradient | 9.8% |
| Max Gradient | 22% (23% peak ramp in Km 1) |
| Surface | Paved asphalt (Narrow) |
Where is Collado del Alguacil located?
The pass is located in the Autonomous Region of Andalusia, in southern Spain, within the boundaries of the Sierra Nevada National Park.
Is the road to Collado del Alguacil paved?
Yes. The road to the summit is fully paved, narrow, and steep. The route lacks serpentine hairpins for the majority of the climb, featuring long straight stretches exposed to direct sun on the bare slopes of Sierra del Calar. Key landmarks along the track include the winding sector before Cortijo Balderas, the sharp turn at Puntal de Majadas, and panoramic views toward Mulhacén and Veleta.
How steep is Collado del Alguacil?
The climb is relentlessly steep, maintaining an average near 10%. Leaving Güéjar Sierra, the first two kilometers feature severe ramps of 21%, 19%, 17%, and 16%. The gradient eases slightly to 8–9% through kilometers 3 and 4, before hardening to a sustained 14–15% average leading up to Cortijo Balderas. The upper slopes continue with ramps between 12% and 14%, ending with a final 16% push in the last kilometer. It was included in the 2026 edition of La Vuelta a España.
How long is the climb to Collado del Alguacil?
Starting from the town of Güéjar Sierra, the ascent to the summit is 8.3 kilometers (5.15 miles) long. Over this distance, the road climbs 816 vertical meters with an average gradient of 9.8%.
Pic: Fernando García