Khyber Pass

Overview

Khyber Pass is a category 3 climb that rewards rhythm over brute force. Over 7.2 km it lifts you from 644 m at the base to 980 m at the summit, a net gain of 336 m. The average gradient sits at 4.65%, firmly in the tempo zone rather than the wall-of-pain range, and the steepest pitch tops out at 8.36%. With a total ascent of 316 m recorded across the route, the profile is mostly one directional drag upward — this is a climb you settle into, not one that ambushes you.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Do the arithmetic and the character of the climb becomes clear. A 336 m net gain over 7.2 km would sit at roughly 4.65% if it were perfectly even — and that is close to what you get. The gap between the 4.65% average and the 8.36% maximum is only about 3.71 percentage points, which tells you the ramps never spike far above the mean. There are no double-digit walls here. Instead, expect a long, honest gradient with a few firmer sections nudging toward that 8.36% max, separated by stretches that dip back toward or below the average. Because total ascent (316 m) is slightly less than net gain (336 m) over the measured line, the road climbs almost without respite — very little of your elevation is given back before the top.

Pacing Notes

This is a climb best ridden just under threshold. Pick an effort you can hold for the full 7.2 km rather than attacking the early slopes. A useful anchor is your FTP: on a 4.65% average grade lasting well past ten minutes, aim to sit a touch below that number and save a small reserve for the steeper pitches approaching 8.36%. If you do not know your threshold yet, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go, then translate that into a target you can defend from bottom to top. The steadiness of the gradient is your friend — lock into a cadence early and the 336 m of climbing ticks away predictably.

Gearing

For a 7.2 km climb averaging 4.65% with pitches to 8.36%, most riders will be comfortable on a compact setup. A 34×32 gives you enough range to spin the average grade without grinding, and it is the sensible baseline for the bulk of the ascent. If you carry extra weight, ride tired, or simply prefer to protect your knees on the firmer ramps near the 8.36% max, a 34×34 buys you one more escape gear when the road tips up. Neither is overkill on a climb of this length — err toward the easier ratio and you will keep your cadence smooth all the way to 980 m.

Summary

Khyber Pass is a fair, well-mannered category 3 climb: 7.2 km of steady 4.65% grade, a modest 8.36% ceiling, and 336 m of vertical gain to a summit at 980 m. Pace it just under threshold, gear for comfort, and enjoy the rhythm.

Length: 7.2 km
Average gradient: 4.65%
Max gradient: 8.36%
Start: 644 m
Summit: 980 m
Net gain: 336 m
Total ascent: 316 m
Category: 3