From sea level in Ézaro to the viewpoint (886 ft / 270 m) it’s 1.1 miles (1.8 km) at an average of 14.5%: 856 ft (261 m) of climbing. All three sources agree: 1.78 km and 863 ft / 263 m (altimetrias.net), 1.8 km and 856 ft / 261 m (Climbfinder) and 1.8 km and 837 ft / 255 m (CyclingCols). The steepest pitch is between 22% and 24%.
What the climb is like
From the AC-550 coast road, turn in Ézaro onto the DP-2308 toward the well-signed viewpoint. The climb starts next to the power substation and the waterfall, with a left turn. From the very first yard the grade is over 10% and it never drops below that again. The road is narrow, with no lane markings and five hairpins according to Climbfinder, and on the inside of those bends the gradient is brutal. CyclingCols puts the hardest kilometer at 15.5%. At the top, the viewpoint looks out over the mouth of the Xallas, Monte Pindo and the bay.
History
The Vuelta a España discovered Ézaro in 2012 and has been back several times since. According to CyclingCols, the first riders to the top were Joaquim Rodríguez (2012), Nicolas Edet (2013), Alexandre Geniez (2016) and Primož Roglič (2020). Because it’s so short, the gaps are measured in seconds, but they’re very expensive seconds.
The setting is unique: the Xallas River drops about 131 ft (40 m) into the sea at the Ézaro waterfall (fervenza do Ézaro), one of the few waterfalls in Europe that empty straight into the ocean.
When to go, water and traffic
Year-round, but in the rain, which is very common on the Costa da Morte, the wet pavement makes it almost impossible to get going again if you stop. On sunny holidays there’s a fair amount of visitor traffic on a very narrow road. There are no water fountains, though on a climb this short you won’t miss them.
What gearing to use
Here gearing is everything. At 3 W/kg (watts per kilo of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg) you’ll average about 4 mph (6.4 km/h): with a 34x34 that’s about 51 rpm, and much less on the 20% ramps. If you’re at 3 W/kg or below, consider a small gravel chainring. Run your numbers in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Start very easy: there’s nowhere to recover.
- If you have to stop, do it on the outside of a bend, where the grade is lower.
- Descend with great care and brake early: the gradient is extreme and the road narrow.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb the Mirador de Ézaro?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 17 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 20 min at 2.5 W/kg and 13 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
What is the steepest grade on Ézaro?
Climbfinder measures 23.8% on the worst 100 m (330 ft) and CyclingCols gives a maximum of 22%. That's very steep, even for a wall.
Who has won on Ézaro?
According to CyclingCols, Joaquim Rodríguez (2012), Nicolas Edet (2013), Alexandre Geniez (2016) and Primož Roglič (2020) were first to the top in the Vuelta.