Maguryeong

Overview

Maguryeong is a category 2 climb that packs a genuine day's effort into a compact 7.6 km. From a start elevation of 169 m it climbs steadily to a summit of 651 m, a net elevation gain of 482 m. The average gradient of 6.31% tells you this is a sustained grind rather than a sprint, and the 13.36% maximum warns that the road is far from uniform. With a total ascent of 456 m recorded across the effort, this is a climb where consistent power beats heroics — a proper category 2 test that rewards riders who arrive with a plan.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is the 6.31% average, but averages hide the story. Across 7.6 km, the road pitches up toward its 13.36% maximum in the steepest sections, meaning long stretches sit meaningfully below that figure to balance the math. Expect the climb to breathe: ramps that bite hard, then relent, then bite again. The gap between the 6.31% average and the 13.36% max — roughly seven points of gradient — is where your race is won or lost. Where the road eases, resist the urge to bank time recklessly; where it steepens toward 13.36%, keep your cadence intact rather than mashing a big gear. Reading the terrain matters more here than raw fitness.

Pacing Notes

The smartest way to ride Maguryeong is to anchor your effort to your FTP. Over 7.6 km, most riders will be on the climb long enough that going out too hard in the first kilometre costs you dearly near the 651 m summit. Aim to hold a steady percentage of threshold on the sustained 6.31% sections, then allow yourself a controlled surge only on the 13.36% ramps where staying seated at a low cadence would stall you.

If you do not yet know your threshold, estimate it first with the FTP estimator, then set a target you can actually sustain for the full 482 m of climbing. Discipline in the opening third pays off across the back half.

Gearing

For a 7.6 km climb averaging 6.31% with ramps to 13.36%, gearing is about protecting your cadence on the steep bits. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the 13.36% pitches without grinding to a halt, but if you weigh more, ride tired, or simply prefer to spin, a 34×34 gives you the extra margin to keep turning the pedals smoothly all the way to 651 m. When in doubt on a climb with this much variation, choose the easier ratio — an unused low gear costs nothing, while a missing one can end your rhythm.

Summary

Maguryeong is a well-shaped category 2 climb: long enough at 7.6 km to demand pacing, steep enough at a 13.36% max to punish overreach, and consistent enough at 6.31% average to reward disciplined riders. Anchor your effort to threshold, gear low, and let the 482 m of climbing come to you.

Length: 7.6 km
Average gradient: 6.31%
Max gradient: 13.36%
Start: 169 m
Summit: 651 m
Net gain: 482 m
Total ascent: 456 m
Category: 2