Belchen

Overview

Belchen is a compact climb that rewards intent over patience. At just 3.4 km, it never lets you settle into a long, meditative rhythm the way a mountain pass might. Instead you cover the whole thing in a single concentrated effort, climbing from 349 m at the base to 532 m at the summit. That is 183 m of net elevation gain packed into a short distance, giving an average gradient of 5.33% and earning it a category-4 classification — the gentlest of the categorized ranks, but far from a formality once the road tilts up.

The number that shapes your day is the max gradient of 10.66%. Twice the average, that pitch is where the climb bares its teeth. Everything else on Belchen is a negotiation between the moderate mean and that single steepest ramp.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The average of 5.33% and the maximum of 10.66% tell a clear story about the climb's shape. With the steepest section running to exactly double the average, this is not a uniform grade — the road holds sections easier than 5.33% to balance the ramp that reaches 10.66%. Expect the effort to arrive in pulses rather than as one constant wall.

Note too that the net gain of 183 m is larger than the total ascent figure of 166 m. That gap of 17 m means the climb is not strictly monotonic — the profile includes brief eases or shallow dips that break up the ascending grade before the road resumes its push toward 532 m.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short, pacing is about protecting yourself for the 10.66% pitch without blowing up early. Ride the shallower opening sections a touch below your ceiling so you arrive at the steep ramp with something in reserve. A sensible target is to hold the flatter portions just under your threshold, then absorb the max-gradient section as a controlled surge rather than an all-out lunge.

Your sustainable effort here keys off your FTP — the power you can hold for a sustained climb. Because Belchen is under 3.4 km, you can afford to ride slightly above threshold and still reach the top, but only if you know your number. If you are unsure where yours sits, run the figures through the FTP estimator before you plan your effort.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 5.33% and spiking to 10.66%, gearing choice comes down to how comfortably you want to spin the steep ramp. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette combination will let most riders keep the cadence up through the 10.66% pitch without grinding. If you prefer to spin rather than muscle over steep pitches, or you are carrying fatigue, a 34×34 gives you that extra margin to sit and turn the pedals smoothly across the 183 m of climbing. Stronger riders comfortable at threshold can hold a slightly bigger gear on the shallower stretches and drop into the easiest cog only for the max-gradient ramp.

Summary

Belchen is a climb that asks for a short, sharp commitment: 3.4 km, a steady 5.33% average, and one honest ramp at 10.66% to keep you honest. Pace the flatter sections with restraint, gear low enough to spin the steep pitch, and you will crest the summit at 532 m having earned every one of its 183 m.

Length: 3.4 km
Average gradient: 5.33%
Max gradient: 10.66%
Start: 349 m
Summit: 532 m
Net gain: 183 m
Total ascent: 166 m
Category: 4