Čemerno

Overview

Čemerno is a category 2 climb that trades brute steepness for sustained length. Over 12.6 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 723 m to a summit at 1298 m, a net gain of 575 m at an average gradient of 4.58%. That average sits firmly in tempo territory, the kind of number you can hold for a long time if you respect it early. Total ascent comes in at 569 m, close enough to the net figure that there is no meaningful descending mixed in, this is a climb that keeps going up. The max gradient touches 10.49%, so while the mean is friendly, there are pitches that will make you shift down and dig in.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The story here is the gap between the 4.58% average and the 10.49% maximum. On a climb this long that spread tells you the road is uneven rather than relentless, stretches of moderate grade punctuated by ramps that bite. Because total ascent (569 m) tracks the net gain (575 m) almost exactly, you are climbing continuously, without the false flats or dips that let you recover on some longer ascents. Expect to settle into a rhythm on the shallower sections, then meet the double-digit ramps that push toward that 10.49% ceiling. Managing the difference between your comfortable tempo pace and those sharp kicks is the whole game on Čemerno.

Pacing Notes

At 12.6 km this is long enough that pacing discipline matters more than raw power. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to ride the 4.58% averages just below threshold, leaving headroom for the steeper ramps toward 10.49%. If you go into the red early on the gentle pitches, the later kicks will feel far harder than the numbers suggest. If you are not sure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. The smart approach is negative-split thinking, hold something back through the first half and let the 575 m of accumulated climbing come to you rather than chasing it.

Gearing

The 4.58% average is spinnable on almost any setup, but the 10.49% max is what dictates your cassette. For most riders a compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear gives enough range to keep cadence up on the steep pitches without grinding. If you weigh more, ride a heavier bike, or simply prefer to spin, size up to 34×34 for extra insurance on the ramps near the summit. Across 12.6 km of continuous climbing, protecting your knees and your cadence with a slightly easier gear almost always pays off by the time you reach 1298 m.

Summary

Čemerno is a long, steady category 2 climb that rewards patience, a sensible gear, and disciplined pacing against those 10.49% ramps. Ride the averages, save something for the kicks, and let the 575 m of vertical unfold beneath you.

Length 12.6 km
Average gradient 4.58%
Max gradient 10.49%
Start 723 m
Summit 1298 m
Net gain 575 m
Total ascent 569 m
Category 2