From Calarcá (Quindío), at about 5,315 ft (1,620 m), to the top of La Línea (10,712 ft / 3,265 m) it is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) at an average of 7.6% with about 5,410 ft (1,650 m) of climbing. It is Colombia’s most classic climb: the border between Quindío and Tolima in the Central Cordillera, on the old road between Armenia and Ibagué, and one of the Vuelta a Colombia’s favorite stage finishes.
What the climb is like
- The first few kilometers (8-9%). It starts hard from the traffic circle on the way out of Calarcá. This section is known as Cansaperros.
- The middle section (6-8%). Among coffee and plantain farms, the grade eases a little. It is the only breather before the hard part.
- The last 6.8 miles (11 km) (8.5% or more). The grade hardly ever drops below 8.5%, with long sections at 10% and pitches of 13%. There is only a short break between the last two hairpins.
- The finish. The final two kilometers run along a ridge with drop-offs on both sides, and the last 500 m (1,640 ft) are easier.
Wikipedia, using data from Altimetrías de Colombia, gives 13.5 miles (21.7 km) at 7.6% with a maximum of 13%. PJAMM puts the start at about 5,315 ft (1,620 m) and gives 12.5 miles (20.1 km) at 7.9%, with slightly less gain on its route. Both agree on the 10,712 ft (3,265 m) summit.
Its history
La Línea is synonymous with Colombian cycling: Cochise Rodríguez and Lucho Herrera rode it, and in the 1989 Vuelta a Colombia a 21-year-old Oliverio Rincón attacked on Cansaperros and dropped Fabio Parra, who had just finished second in the Vuelta a España. As a stage finish on this side, Heiner Parra won in 2019 and Salvador Moreno in 2020. On the other side, from Cajamarca, the winners have included Fabio Duarte (2009), Yesid Pira (2021) and Miguel Ángel López (2023).
When to go, weather, water and traffic
You can ride it all year. Wind is common near the top, sometimes in strong gusts, and fog and rain often roll in during the afternoon: go in the morning and bring a rain jacket. At 10,712 ft (3,265 m) it is cool even in the sun.
It is a two-lane road with a narrow shoulder. Before the tunnel it was the route for every truck between central Colombia and the port of Buenaventura; since the La Línea tunnel opened in September 2020, most heavy traffic passes underneath, although there are still vehicles. Use a rear light and check road conditions, as there have been closures for roadwork and landslides. There are stores and restaurants in Calarcá and a few stands along the climb.
What gearing to use
With the last 6.8 miles (11 km) at 8.5-10%, a 34x30 or 34x32 makes sense. At 3 W/kg (watts per kilogram of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg), you ride about 5.6 mph (9 km/h) on 10%: that is about 63 rpm on a 34x30 and about 67 on a 34x32. Try your combinations in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Do not go too hard on Cansaperros: the real work is the final 6.8 miles (11 km).
- Eat and drink in the middle section, before the grade gets serious.
- For a quieter ride, go early on a Sunday or a holiday.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Alto de La Línea from Calarcá?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 1 hr 53 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 2 hr 14 min at 2.5 W/kg and 1 hr 26 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
Can you still ride up La Línea since the tunnel opened?
Yes. The La Línea tunnel, opened in 2020, runs about 2,950 ft (900 m) below the summit and takes much of the truck traffic, but the old road is still open and the Vuelta a Colombia still finishes at the top.
Which side of La Línea is harder?
The Calarcá side: 13.5 miles (21.7 km) at 7.6% with 13% pitches. The Cajamarca (Tolima) side is a little longer, about 14.5 miles (23.4 km), but easier at 6.1% on average, although it has one 14% pitch.