Čremošnianske sedlo

Overview

Čremošnianske sedlo is a category-4 climb that trades brute force for rhythm. Over 5.5 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 354 m to a summit of 580 m, a net gain of 226 m. The averaged gradient sits at a very manageable 4.14%, which places this firmly in the tempo-climb bracket rather than the wall-of-pain category reserved for HC and category-1 ascents.

What makes the profile interesting is the gap between the numbers. The recorded total ascent is 204 m, slightly under the 226 m net gain, which tells you the road climbs almost continuously without meaningful descents to give back elevation. In other words, once you start going up, you keep going up. That consistency is a gift: you can settle into one effort and hold it rather than constantly resetting after false flats.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline average of 4.14% undersells the texture of the climb. The steepest pitch reaches 7.01%, meaning there is a section here that bites roughly 2.87 percentage points harder than the mean. Spread that peak across an otherwise moderate 5.5 km and the picture becomes clear: long stretches sit comfortably below the average, banking the elevation that the sharper ramp then demands back all at once.

Practically, expect the climb to feel easier than 4.14% for much of its length, punctuated by a ramp toward 7.01% where the road tilts up and your cadence drops. Because the total ascent of 204 m accumulates so evenly, there are no flat recovery shelves to hide on. The steep pitch is where the climb is won or lost.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this length, pacing is about restraint early and confidence late. Aim to ride the 4.14% sections at or just below your threshold, keeping something in reserve for the 7.01% ramp. A useful anchor is your FTP: hold the shallow gradient at a comfortable sub-threshold effort, then allow yourself to nudge above it briefly on the steep pitch, since the summit at 580 m arrives soon after.

If you do not know your threshold number, run your figures through the FTP estimator before you plan the effort. With only 226 m of gain to manage, going too deep on the lower slopes costs more than it saves — the 7.01% ramp punishes anyone who has already spent their matches on the easy gradient below.

Gearing

For a 5.5 km climb averaging 4.14% and topping out at 7.01%, most riders will be well served by a compact setup with a wide cassette. A 34×32 gives you a spinning gear for the steep pitch without over-gearing the shallower tempo sections, and it keeps your cadence high enough to protect your legs across the full 226 m of ascent.

If you favour a lower cadence, prefer to stay seated on ramps, or are carrying fatigue from earlier climbing, drop to 34×34 for extra insurance on the 7.01% section. Neither the length nor the gradient here demands ultra-low gearing, but the wider ratio removes any temptation to grind the steepest metre in the wrong gear.

Summary

Čremošnianske sedlo is a rhythm climb: steady, honest, and defined by one sharper ramp rather than sustained severity. Pace the 4.14% sections, respect the 7.01% pitch, and the 580 m summit comes quickly.

Length: 5.5 km
Average gradient: 4.14%
Max gradient: 7.01%
Start: 354 m
Summit: 580 m
Net gain: 226 m
Total ascent: 204 m
Category: 4