Alto del Vino is 23.6 miles (38 km) at an average of 5.2% from the Villeta area, in the hot lowlands, to the 9,301 ft (2,835 m) summit on the edge of the Bogotá Savanna: 6,509 ft (1,984 m) of climbing. It is the old road from Bogotá to the Magdalena River and one of the most used mountain finishes in Colombia in recent years, including the queen stage of the 2024 Tour Colombia.
What the climb is like
- Villeta to La Vega. The first few miles are easy, between 2 and 5%, with lots of breaks. Before La Vega there is a straight at 7%. Altimetrías de Colombia starts measuring at a gas station about 5 miles (8 km) before La Vega.
- The middle section. After La Vega, about 11.2 miles (18 km) at 6% with a 1.2-mile (2 km) stretch at 7.5%, the hardest part of the middle of the climb. Around km 21.5, on a hairpin, you can see La Vega some 2,600 ft (800 m) below.
- The finish. A kilometer of rest, 1.2 miles (2 km) above 7%, the longest break, and two sections adding up to 5 miles (8 km) above 6%, with kicks of 9-10%, separated by a short descent. The last 2.5 miles (4 km) lead to the top.
Altimetrías de Colombia gives 23.6 miles (38 km), 6,509 ft (1,984 m) of gain and 5.15%, and Wikipedia has the same figures with the summit at 9,301 ft (2,835 m). At the 2024 Tour Colombia the official climb started higher up: about 18.6 miles (30 km) at 5.7-5.8% to the finish, at 9,324-9,364 ft (2,842-2,854 m) depending on the race report.
Its history
Alto del Vino has become famous as a stage finish in recent years: in the Vuelta a Colombia, Darwin Atapuma (2021), Edgar Cadena (2022) and Diego Camargo (2025) won at the top. The most memorable stage was at the 2024 Tour Colombia: Esteban Chaves attacked 9.3 miles (15 km) from the finish, Richard Carapaz followed and went solo in the last 3.1 miles (5 km) to win by 13 seconds over Jonathan Caicedo.
When to go, weather, water and traffic
You can ride it all year. Down in Villeta it is hot; at the top, at 9,301 ft (2,835 m), you get the chill of the Savanna. Bring a warm layer for the summit and the descent. Above 6,500 ft (2,000 m) the sun is strong: wear sunscreen.
The road is wide, in very good condition and has a shoulder, but it is a main route between Bogotá and the Magdalena, with trucks and buses. On Sundays the Savanna side fills with cyclists. There are towns with stores on the lower part (Villeta and La Vega); higher up, fewer.
What gearing to use
The grade is gentle: a 34x28 is plenty at 3 W/kg (watts per kilogram of body weight); on 6% you ride about 8.7 mph (14 km/h). If you are short on power, a 34x30 will help on the 9-10% kicks near the top. Check your combinations in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Use the first few miles to eat: the hard part starts at La Vega.
- Save something for the final 5 miles (8 km) above 6%.
- For a loop from Bogotá, descend via El Rosal toward Villeta and come back up the climb.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Alto del Vino?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 2 hr 26 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 2 hr 52 min at 2.5 W/kg and 1 hr 55 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
Who won on Alto del Vino at the Tour Colombia?
Richard Carapaz, on the queen stage of the 2024 Tour Colombia, which started in Cota and finished at the top after a final climb of about 18.6 miles (30 km). He arrived alone, 13 seconds ahead of Jonathan Caicedo.
How long is Alto del Vino from Bogotá?
From the Savanna side it is very short: less than 2.5 miles (4 km) and about 650 ft (200 m) of climbing from the outskirts of El Rosal. The real climb is the one from Villeta and La Vega.