Col du Pillon

Overview

Col du Pillon is a Category 2 climb in Switzerland, running 6.1 km from a start elevation of 1,150 m to a summit at 1,512 m. Over that distance it delivers a net elevation gain of 362 m at an average gradient of 5.98%. On paper that reads as a steady, mid-tier alpine effort, and the category confirms it sits firmly in the range where climbing legs matter but the ascent stays manageable for most fit riders.

The number that reshapes the ride is the total ascent: 533 m against a net gain of 362 m. That 171 m gap means the road does not climb in a single clean line. There are downhill or flat stretches embedded in the route, and every metre you give back has to be reclaimed. The effort is therefore higher than the net figure suggests, and the undulation punishes riders who lock into one gear and expect a constant grade.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An average of 5.98% is a blended figure, and it hides the real texture of the climb. Because the route surrenders 171 m of descent along the way, the true climbing pitches are steeper than the average implies, culminating in a ramp of 18.47%.

• Flatter or slightly downhill recovery sections that pull the average down and interrupt any climbing rhythm.
• Repeated short climbs stacked between those recovery breaks, so the legs reload rather than settle.
• A steepest ramp of 18.47% that demands your lowest gear and a deliberate, contained effort.

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, even-effort beats even-speed. Chasing a constant speed forces you to surge over every rise and coast through every dip, spiking your output exactly when it costs the most. Instead, anchor your ride to a target sustainable power output and hold it through the pitches, letting your speed rise on the flatter sections and fall on the ramps.

If you do not know your ceiling, run the FTP estimator before you go, then ride the steep sections just under threshold. The recovery stretches are where you bank energy for the 18.47% ramp — use them.

Gearing

The steepest gradient governs your setup, not the average. At 18.47%, a standard chainset will leave you grinding. Fit a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — 34×32 or 34×34 gives you room to spin the ramp rather than muscle it. Check your drivetrain and confirm the cassette actually fits your derailleur before the ride, not at the base of the climb.

Summary

• Length: 6.1 km
• Average gradient: 5.98%
• Maximum gradient: 18.47%
• Net elevation gain: 362 m
• Total ascent: 533 m
• Category: 2

Col du Pillon rewards riders who respect its undulation. Pace by effort, gear for the 18.47% ramp, and treat the recovery sections as fuel rather than rest, and the 362 m of net gain will come without blowing up.