Corrieyairack Pass

Overview

Corrieyairack Pass is a Category 2 climb in Great Britain, running 7.1 km from a start elevation of 367 m to a summit of 770 m. That gives a net elevation gain of 403 m at an average gradient of 5.64%. On paper it reads as a steady mid-tier climb, but the number to hold onto is the average — it flatters the harder parts.

The gap between the net gain and the total ascent tells the real story. You climb 403 m net, but the total ascent is 544 m — an extra 141 m of vertical you pay for in dips and recoveries that hand elevation back before you take it again. This undulation means the effort is lumpier than a smooth 5.64% grade would suggest. Expect to work harder than the headline gradient implies, because you re-climb ground you already earned.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 5.64% average is a blend, not a constant. It hides both the recovery dips baked into that 141 m of extra ascent and a steepest ramp of 15.42% — nearly three times the average. Where the road pitches up, you will be well into a hard effort; where it eases or drops, you get brief relief that also flatters your overall time.

• Flatter and recovery sections that give back elevation, inflating total ascent above net gain
• Repeated short climbs rather than one continuous wall
• A steepest ramp of 15.42% that will spike your power and demand your lowest gears

Pacing Notes

Do not chase even speed on Corrieyairack Pass — the undulation will punish it. On the 15.42% pitches, holding a target speed forces a power surge you cannot repeat, and you will blow up before the summit. Pace by effort instead, holding steady around your sustainable power output and letting your speed rise and fall with the terrain. Ease slightly into the dips, accept the slower crawl on the steep ramps, and keep the effort honest across all 7.1 km.

If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first. With a real figure, you can sit just under it on the ramps and use the recovery sections to bring your average effort back down — the right way to absorb 544 m of total ascent.

Gearing

The 15.42% maximum gradient governs your setup. On a climb with pitches this steep, a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible choice — think 34×32 or 34×34 to keep your cadence up when the road kicks. Undergearing here means grinding at low cadence on the steep ramps, which drains your legs before the summit. Check your chainset and cassette before you ride so you are not caught in a gear you cannot turn.

Summary

• Length: 7.1 km
• Average gradient: 5.64%
• Maximum gradient: 15.42%
• Net elevation gain: 403 m
• Total ascent: 544 m
• Category: 2

Corrieyairack Pass is an honest Category 2 climb where the 141 m gap between net gain and total ascent, not the modest 5.64% average, defines the effort. Pace by power, gear low for the 15.42% ramps, and let the undulation come to you.