Furkajoch

Overview

Furkajoch is a long, category 1 test that rewards patience over aggression. Over 22.8 km it lifts you from a valley floor at 446 m to a summit of 1762 m, a net gain of 1316 m. The averaged number, 5.78%, sounds friendly, and for stretches it is — but that mean hides a lot of variation, and the steepest pitch spikes to 13.57%. This is a climb where the clock, not the terrain, does most of the damage: nearly an hour of steady work for most riders, longer if you go out too hard early.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the average of 5.78% and the maximum of 13.57% tells the whole story. Almost 8 percentage points separate the two, which means the climb is not a metronome — it breathes. Expect long sustained sections that sit at or a little above the average, punctuated by ramps that force you well into the red. The recorded total ascent of 1293 m sits just below the 1316 m net gain, so there is very little false-flat or downhill relief once you commit; almost every metre climbed stays climbed. Treat every kick toward that 13.57% figure as a moment to survive, then settle straight back into rhythm rather than chasing the effort you just lost.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to spend the bulk of the 22.8 km just below threshold, saving headroom for the steep ramps rather than burning matches on the average-gradient sections. If you don't know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you set a target. A good rule here: on the 13.57% pitches, let your speed drop and your cadence sag briefly rather than surging — you'll claw back far more time by staying aerobic across the full 1316 m of climbing than by attacking any single ramp.

Gearing

With 22.8 km at 5.78% and spikes to 13.57%, gearing generously is the smart play. A compact 34-tooth inner paired with a 32-tooth largest sprocket (34×32) is the sensible baseline for a fit rider who can hold a strong cadence. If you know you fade on long efforts, or you're carrying fatigue into the day, go to 34×34 — that extra sprocket keeps your legs spinning through the steepest ramps and protects your knees across the full 1316 m of ascent. On a climb defined by duration as much as pitch, the lower gear almost always pays for itself.

Summary

Furkajoch is an endurance climb first and a steepness challenge second: 22.8 km of near-continuous ascent, a manageable 5.78% average sharpened by a 13.57% maximum, and 1316 m of vertical to grind through. Pace it to your threshold, gear low, and let the ramps come to you.

Length: 22.8 km
Average gradient: 5.78%
Max gradient: 13.57%
Start: 446 m
Summit: 1762 m
Net gain: 1316 m
Total ascent: 1293 m
Category: 1