Allison Pass

Overview

Allison Pass is a Category 3 climb in Canada, running 6.7 km from a start elevation of 1035 m to a summit at 1338 m. The net elevation gain across that distance is 303 m, and the average gradient sits at a moderate 4.51%. On paper it reads as a steady, manageable ascent well within reach of most fit riders.

The paper number is misleading. Total ascent registers at 440 m, well above the 303 m net gain. That 137 m gap is undulation — descents and false flats stacked into the route that you have to re-climb. Every metre of that hidden descent is effort you pay for twice, so the climb costs more than the net figure suggests. Treat it as a 440 m day of vertical work, not a 303 m one.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 4.51% average tells you almost nothing about how this climb actually feels. The undulation means real gradient swings widely around that figure — flatter stretches drag the average down while short ramps spike well above it. The 13.21% maximum is where the work concentrates.

• Flatter and recovery sections where the road eases or dips, letting you spin and reset
• Repeated short climbs that re-take elevation lost to the descents baked into the profile
• The steepest ramp at 13.21%, roughly triple the average and the pitch that decides your gearing

Pacing Notes

Because of the undulation, chasing an even speed will wreck you — holding pace up the 13.21% ramp forces surges that torch your legs, while the descents give the effort back for free. Pace to even effort instead. Anchor your climbing to a target sustainable power output and hold that number through the steep pitches, accepting that your speed will drop. On the flatter and downhill sections, ease off rather than hammering to "make up time."

If you don't know your ceiling, run the FTP estimator before you ride and set a climbing target a notch below threshold you can defend for the full 6.7 km.

Gearing

The 13.21% maximum, not the 4.51% average, governs your gearing. On a pitch that steep, an easy bailout gear keeps your cadence up and your effort even instead of grinding. Run a compact (34-tooth inner) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 low gear gives you the range to spin the steepest ramp without over-torquing. Check your setup before the ride; the summit is no place to discover you're a gear short.

Summary

• Length: 6.7 km
• Average gradient: 4.51%
• Maximum gradient: 13.21%
• Net elevation gain: 303 m
• Total ascent: 440 m
• Category: 3

Allison Pass is a climb that punishes riders who trust the average. The 303 m net gain undersells 440 m of real work, and the 13.21% ramps demand gearing and pacing discipline the 4.51% figure never hints at. Ride to effort, gear low, and the pass rewards you.