Guriner Furggu

Overview

Guriner Furggu is a hors catégorie climb that leaves no room for illusions. Over 15.6 km it averages 10.21%, a figure that alone marks it as one of the hardest sustained ascents a rider can attempt. You start at 419 m and finish at 2011 m, a net elevation gain of 1592 m, with 1572 m of total ascent packed into a single unbroken push. There are no meaningful descents to break the rhythm here — the gap between net gain and total ascent is just 20 m, meaning the road climbs almost the entire way. That double-digit average, held for this distance, puts Guriner Furggu firmly in the elite tier of European climbs.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 10.21% average across 15.6 km is punishing on its own, but the max gradient of 29.15% tells you the road does not hold a steady pitch. Expect stretches that sit near the average and sharp ramps that spike toward that brutal 29.15% wall — nearly triple the mean. With only 20 m separating net gain (1592 m) from total ascent (1572 m), there is essentially nowhere to recover: no flat shelves, no rolling relief. Every kilometre demands elevation, and the steepest pitches will force even strong riders out of the saddle. The shape of this climb rewards patience early and punishes anyone who burns matches before the ramps arrive.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long and this steep, pacing is everything. Riding at or just below your FTP for 15.6 km at 10.21% is not realistic for most riders, so plan to sit comfortably under threshold on the sustained sections and accept that the 29.15% ramps will briefly spike you well above it. The goal is to keep those surges short and recover as the gradient eases back toward the average. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you set off — knowing your ceiling is the difference between a controlled ascent and blowing up halfway up 1592 m of climbing. Meter your effort by feel on the steepest pitches; the summit at 2011 m is a long way from the 419 m start.

Gearing

Do not underestimate what a 10.21% average with 29.15% spikes demands from your drivetrain. A compact chainring is the minimum starting point. A 34×32 will get many riders up the sustained sections, but on the near-30% ramps it may leave you grinding at an unsustainably low cadence. For most riders on Guriner Furggu, a 34×34 is the smarter choice — that extra sprocket buys precious cadence exactly where the road turns savage. If your bike accepts an even wider range, take it. Over 1572 m of ascent, spinning a slightly easier gear preserves your legs far better than muscling a hard one.

Summary

Guriner Furggu is an uncompromising HC test: 15.6 km, 10.21% average, and a 29.15% maximum, climbing from 419 m to 2011 m for 1592 m of net gain. Bring low gearing, a disciplined pacing plan, and respect for a road that climbs almost without pause.

Length: 15.6 km
Average gradient: 10.21%
Max gradient: 29.15%
Start: 419 m
Summit: 2011 m
Net gain: 1592 m
Total ascent: 1572 m
Category: HC