Alexanderschanze

Overview

Alexanderschanze is a Category 2 climb in Germany, running 8.9 km from base to top. It gains 486 m of net elevation, starting at 479 m and topping out at a summit elevation of 965 m. At an average gradient of 5.44%, it sits firmly in mid-tier climbing territory: long enough to demand real pacing discipline, but rarely steep enough to force you out of the saddle for extended stretches.

The number that reshapes how you ride this one is the gap between net elevation gain and total ascent. You gain 486 m net, but you climb 649 m in total — roughly 163 m of extra vertical hidden inside the profile. That means the road gives back close to 163 m in descents or flatter dips along the way, then reclaims it. Undulation like this punishes riders who treat the average as a steady grind, because the effort is lumpier than a single 5.44% number suggests.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 5.44% average is a blend, not a constant. With a maximum gradient of 20.29%, the hardest ramp is nearly four times steeper than the average, so the climb stacks easy stretches against sharp spikes. Expect the road to ease off in places — those recovery sections are exactly where the extra 163 m of total ascent comes from, since you lose and regain height rather than climbing cleanly.

• Flatter or slightly descending sections that let you recover but break your rhythm
• Repeated short climbs that add up to the 649 m of total ascent
• A steepest ramp reaching 20.29%, well above the average, where power spikes are unavoidable

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, chase even effort, not even speed. Holding a steady speed forces you to spike power on every ramp and coast through the dips, which burns matches you'll want on the 20.29% pitch. Instead, anchor your ride to a target sustainable power output and let your speed rise and fall with the gradient. Ease slightly into the flatter sections rather than hammering to keep the pace up. If you don't know your ceiling, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go, so your target on the steep ramps stays repeatable rather than a one-off gamble.

Gearing

The steepest gradient governs your gearing choice, and at 20.29% you want an easy bailout gear ready. Run a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 gives you the low ratio to spin the steepest ramp without grinding to a stall. Check your setup before the ride: confirm the cassette and chainset you're actually running, not the one you assume is bolted on.

Summary

• Length: 8.9 km
• Average gradient: 5.44%
• Maximum gradient: 20.29%
• Net elevation gain: 486 m
• Total ascent: 649 m
• Category: 2

Alexanderschanze rewards riders who read the profile rather than the average. Pace it on effort, gear for the 20.29% spike, and respect the 163 m of hidden climbing between net gain and total ascent.