Carirriñe Pass

Overview

Carirriñe Pass is a category 1 climb that asks a real question of your legs: 10.7 km of continuous ascent at an average gradient of 6.19%. It begins low, at 395 m, and finishes on a summit of 1054 m, so you gain 659 m net between the two. Total ascent measured along the road comes to 621 m, which tells you the climb rises almost without pause — there is very little false-flat or downhill relief hidden in those kilometres. With a maximum gradient of 12.56%, it also has genuine teeth. This is a sustained tempo effort punctuated by sharper walls, not a puncheur's sprint and not a gentle drag.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is that 6.19% average, but averages flatten out the story. The gap between the 6.19% mean and the 12.56% maximum is 6.37 percentage points, which is a wide spread for a climb of this length. That means the road is not evenly pitched: expect stretches that sit comfortably around the average and then ramps that roughly double it. Because the net gain (659 m) is slightly larger than the total ascent (621 m) figure, the climb trends relentlessly upward with minimal recovery — every metre you rise, you keep. Over 10.7 km that consistency is what makes it a category 1 rather than something softer. Read the road ahead and save something for the pitches near 12.56%.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a steady percentage of it rather than chasing the steepest ramps. At 10.7 km and 6.19% average, most riders are looking at a sustained tempo-to-threshold effort, so start conservatively in the opening kilometres — the summit at 1054 m is a long way from the 395 m base. When the gradient rears toward 12.56%, let cadence drop and power spike briefly rather than blowing your whole effort. If you are unsure of your threshold, use the FTP estimator to set realistic target watts before you commit to the pass.

Gearing

With 659 m to gain over 10.7 km and ramps hitting 12.56%, gearing is what keeps this climb enjoyable rather than survival mode. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. For most riders, a 34×32 low gear covers the 6.19% average comfortably and gives you a fighting cadence on the steeper sections. If you weigh more, are carrying luggage, or simply prefer to spin, step up to a 34×34 — that extra sprocket makes the 12.56% pitches far more manageable and protects your knees over a full 10.7 km. Err toward the easier ratio; you will rarely regret spare gears on a category 1.

Summary

Carirriñe Pass is a proper category 1 test: long, consistent, and stinging where it matters. At 10.7 km and 6.19% average, with a 12.56% maximum, it rewards patient pacing and generous gearing. Bring a compact and a wide cassette, meter your effort off your FTP, and the 659 m from base to summit will feel earned rather than survived.

Length: 10.7 km
Average gradient: 6.19%
Max gradient: 12.56%
Start: 395 m
Summit: 1054 m
Net gain: 659 m
Total ascent: 621 m
Category: 1