Col de Chermotane

Overview

Col de Chermotane is a short, high-altitude Category 4 climb in Switzerland. It runs for 2.8 km with a net elevation gain of 159 m, starting at 1,968 m and topping out at 2,127 m. That summit height puts the whole effort well above 1,900 m, so thinner air is a factor from the first pedal stroke even though the distance is modest.

The headline net gain of 159 m undersells the work. Total ascent on the climb is 224 m, meaning roughly 65 m of climbing is spent regaining ground you gave back on descents and dips. That undulation is the defining feature here: you are not grinding one steady wall, you are repeatedly climbing, cresting, losing rhythm, and climbing again. Expect the effort to feel harder than a clean 159 m ascent of the same length.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 5.71% average is a blend, not a constant. With a maximum pitch of 14.79%, the steep sections are more than double the average, and the flat-to-descending segments drag the mean down to hide them. Do not pace off the average number.

• Flatter and recovery sections where the road eases or briefly drops, accounting for the gap between net gain and total ascent
• Repeated short climbs stacked back to back, each breaking your cadence and rhythm
• A steepest ramp approaching 14.79%, sharp enough to force a hard gear change and a spike in effort

Pacing Notes

On a steady climb you can hold even effort and let speed vary. Chermotane's undulation makes even-speed pacing a trap: chasing a constant speed forces you deep into the red on the 14.79% ramp and lets you soft-pedal the flats. Instead, target even effort against your sustainable power output, holding steady watts through the steep pitches and accepting that your speed will surge on the flatter, descending sections. Recover actively on those rollers rather than coasting. If you are unsure what number to hold, run the FTP estimator first and pace to a percentage of it.

Gearing

The 14.79% maximum pitch is what governs your setup, not the gentle average. Come with a compact (34-tooth inner) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette. A 34×32 will get most riders over the steepest ramp with cadence to spare; a 34×34 gives more margin if you are carrying fatigue or riding at altitude. Check your chainset and cassette before you leave, because the last thing you want on a 14.79% wall at 2,100 m is to run out of gears.

Summary

• Length: 2.8 km
• Average gradient: 5.71%
• Maximum gradient: 14.79%
• Net elevation gain: 159 m
• Total ascent: 224 m
• Category: 4

Chermotane is short but deceptive: a Category 4 rating and a 5.71% average that mask steep ramps and constant undulation at real altitude. Pace to effort, gear for the steepest pitch, and treat the rollers as the main event.