Branisko

Overview

Branisko is a short, honest climb: 2.8 km of road that lifts you from 412 m at the base to 519 m at the summit. That is a net gain of 107 m at an average gradient of 3.84%, which puts it firmly in category 4 — the gentlest of the categorised climbs, one rung below category 3. Nothing here is designed to break you. Instead, Branisko is the kind of ascent you settle into and ride through, a rolling effort that rewards rhythm over raw power. With a maximum gradient of just 5.07%, the road never rears up into anything you would call steep, so the challenge is one of consistency rather than survival.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape of Branisko is remarkably even. Across the full 2.8 km, the gradient sits close to its 3.84% average and peaks at only 5.07%, meaning the difference between the easiest and hardest metres is small. There are no walls, no false flats that sap momentum, and no sudden ramps to catch you out. Because the maximum is barely above the average, you can trust the road to hold a steady pitch the whole way up. That predictability is the climb's defining feature: what you feel in the first few hundred metres is essentially what you get all the way to the 519 m summit.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short and steady, pacing is simple but easy to get wrong. The temptation on a 2.8 km effort is to attack from the base, but the smart approach is to hold a controlled tempo just below your FTP and let the even gradient do the work. Because Branisko never exceeds 5.07%, you can carry momentum throughout rather than spiking your effort on any single section. If you are unsure where your sustainable ceiling sits, the FTP estimator will give you a target to ride to. Aim to arrive at the summit having spent your matches evenly across all 2.8 km, not in one early burst.

Gearing

Given the modest 3.84% average and the 5.07% maximum, Branisko does not demand a mountain-goat setup. A compact chainring paired with a 34×32 will comfortably cover the whole climb for most riders, giving you a spinning gear even on the steepest metres. If you prefer to sit and turn a lighter cadence, or if the climb comes late in a long day, a 34×34 adds a touch more relief without any downside. Either way, this is a climb you can ride seated and smooth — no need to grind out of the saddle over just 107 m of gain.

Summary

Branisko is a compact, well-mannered category 4 climb: 2.8 km of steady road, a friendly 3.84% average, and a summit at 519 m. Ride it to a rhythm, gear sensibly, and it becomes a satisfying tempo effort rather than a struggle.

Length: 2.8 km
Average gradient: 3.84%
Max gradient: 5.07%
Start: 412 m
Summit: 519 m
Net gain: 107 m
Total ascent: 92 m
Category: 4