Hahnenmoos Pass

Overview

Hahnenmoos Pass is a Category 1 climb in Switzerland, running 10.2km from a start elevation of 1,066m to a summit of 1,944m. Over that distance it delivers a net elevation gain of 878m at an average gradient of 8.63%. That average places it firmly in the demanding tier: a climb where the road tips up early and rarely relents, finishing high enough that thin air adds to the load in the final kilometres.

The number to watch, though, is the gap between net gain and total ascent. You climb 878m net, but the total ascent is 1,174m — meaning 296m of the vertical is re-climbing after short descents or dips along the way. That undulation matters. It means roughly a quarter of your climbing is spent regaining ground you already gave back, so the effort is choppier and more surging than a clean 8.63% grade would suggest. Budget for it.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 8.63% average is a blend, not a constant. Undulation of nearly 300m tells you the profile dips and rebounds rather than holding one steady pitch, so the steep sections are steeper than the average implies and are broken up by brief lets that don't offer much true rest.

• Short recovery or flatter dips where the road eases or drops before climbing again
• Repeated punchy ramps that regain the 296m of re-climbing
• The steepest pitches sitting well above 8.63% — expect double-digit ramps that force you out of rhythm

Pacing Notes

On a smooth climb you can hold even effort and let speed drift with the grade. Hahnenmoos punishes that approach less kindly because of its surges. Anchor your ride to your sustainable power output rather than to speed or feel — the dips will tempt you to over-push on the ramps and coast the descents, which spikes fatigue.

Aim for even effort, capping your power on the steep pitches instead of chasing a target speed. Soft-pedal the short descents to recover rather than pressing. If you don't know your ceiling, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go, and ride the steep ramps a touch under that figure to leave something for the high, thin final kilometres.

Gearing

Gear for the steepest ramps, not the average. With double-digit pitches on this climb, a compact (50/34) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is the right call. A 34×32 gives you a survivable bailout; 34×34 is better if you climb at a lower cadence or carry any load. The extra sprocket costs nothing on the flatter dips and saves your legs where it counts.

Check your setup before the ride. Confirm your rear derailleur clears your largest sprocket and that the chain is long enough — sorting this in the driveway beats discovering it 1,800m up.

Summary

• Length: 10.2km
• Average gradient: 8.63%
• Net elevation gain: 878m
• Total ascent: 1,174m
• Category: 1

Hahnenmoos Pass is a serious Category 1 effort where the 8.63% average undersells the difficulty. With 296m of re-climbing folded into the total ascent, the smart ride is disciplined pacing off your power and a gear low enough that the steep ramps never force you to a stop.