Arlberg

Overview

The Arlberg is a long, high-altitude Category 1 climb that asks for patience more than heroics. Over 12.2 km it averages 6.28%, carrying you from a start at 1031 m all the way to a summit at 1800 m. That is 769 m of net elevation gain, with 748 m of that coming as genuine ascent — a figure so close to the net gain that you can tell there is almost no descending to break up the effort. This is a climb you settle into and grind out, not one you attack in bursts.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 6.28% average across 12.2 km is the signature of a remarkably consistent road. The max gradient touches 11.32%, which is meaningfully steeper than the average but never brutal — the difference between the two is about 5 percentage points, so the ramps sting without ever forcing you off the saddle if you have paced sensibly. Because total ascent (748 m) sits so near net gain (769 m), the profile barely dips: there are no false flats or rollers to recover on. Expect the gradient to hover around that 6-7% band for long stretches, with the steepest pitches likely arriving where the road tightens. Read the climb as one sustained wall rather than a series of steps.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long and even, pacing is everything. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a percentage of it you can sustain for the full 12.2 km rather than the first kilometre. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go — a 769 m ascent at this altitude punishes anyone who starts too hot. A good rule: ride the opening third slightly below target, let the 11.32% pitches pull your power up naturally, then spend whatever is left in the final kilometres toward 1800 m. Steady beats spiky here.

Gearing

The combination of length and a 6.28% average makes gearing a real decision. For most riders a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sweet spot. A 34×32 will get many fit riders up the sustained sections while keeping a workable cadence, but on the 11.32% ramps — especially deep into the 12.2 km when your legs are loaded and you are near 1800 m — a 34×34 buys you a lower gear and a higher, joint-friendly cadence. If you are unsure, err toward the 34×34: spinning a spare gear costs nothing, while grinding a gear too tall for 12.2 km costs you the summit.

Summary

The Arlberg rewards riders who respect the distance: 12.2 km of even, high-altitude effort that never really lets up, capped by a 1800 m summit. Pace to your threshold, gear low, and let the consistency work for you.

Length: 12.2 km
Average gradient: 6.28%
Max gradient: 11.32%
Start: 1031 m
Summit: 1800 m
Net gain: 769 m
Total ascent: 748 m
Category: 1