Kinzig Pass

Overview

Kinzig Pass is a hors catégorie (HC) climb in Switzerland, topping out at 2,033 m. It runs 15.6 km from a start elevation of 637 m to its summit, delivering a net elevation gain of 1,396 m. At an average gradient of 8.92%, it sits firmly in the tier of climbs where the length and the sustained pitch combine to make it a serious objective, not a warm-up.

The net gain of 1,396 m only tells part of the story. Total ascent on Kinzig Pass is 2,001 m, meaning you actually climb 605 m more than the point-to-point elevation difference suggests. That gap is undulation: the road gives back height through dips and descents you then have to reclaim. Expect the effort to feel harder than the net figure implies, because every metre of that extra ascent is paid for in real pedalling.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An 8.92% average is a blend, not a constant. On a climb with this much undulation, the mean hides both easier stretches and ramps well above it — the road pitches up to a maximum of 27.66%, roughly three times the average. Read the profile, not the headline number.

• Flatter or descending sections that offer brief recovery but add to total ascent when the road kicks back up
• Repeated short climbs stacked through the middle, which is where the 605 m of extra ascent accumulates
• A steepest ramp reaching 27.66%, demanding you have gearing and legs in reserve

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, even-effort beats even-speed. Chasing a constant speed forces you to spike hard over every rise and coast the dips, burning matches you need later. Instead, hold a steady, sustainable power output and let your speed rise and fall with the gradient — faster on the shallow bits, slower on the ramps, but effort roughly flat.

Know your ceiling before you start. Use the FTP estimator to set a target you can carry across all 15.6 km, then ride below it early. The undulation punishes anyone who treats the first kilometre like the only one.

Gearing

The 27.66% maximum dictates your setup. On a pitch that steep, a standard chainset will leave you grinding at a cadence that wrecks your legs. Fit a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — think 34×32 or 34×34 as a floor — so you can spin the steepest ramps rather than muscle them. Check your drivetrain and confirm the exact ratios before the ride; the summit is at 2,033 m and there is no bailing out to swap gears mid-climb.

Summary

• Length: 15.6 km
• Average gradient: 8.92%
• Maximum gradient: 27.66%
• Net elevation gain: 1,396 m
• Total ascent: 2,001 m
• Category: HC

Kinzig Pass rewards riders who respect the difference between its 1,396 m net gain and its 2,001 m of total ascent. Gear low, pace by effort, and treat the undulation as the real test.