Makljen

Overview

Makljen is a long, honest category 1 climb that asks for patience rather than heroics. Over 12.6 km it averages 6.12%, lifting you from a valley floor at 349 m to a summit of 1120 m. That is a net elevation gain of 771 m, with the recorded total ascent sitting at 749 m — a clue that the road rises almost relentlessly, with very little false flat or descending to break the rhythm. The maximum gradient of 12.52% tells you the day is not entirely uniform, but nothing here is savage. This is a climb you settle into and grind out.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Makljen is its consistency. With an average of 6.12% sustained across the full 12.6 km, the road never lets you fully recover, yet it rarely spikes into the red either. The gap between the 6.12% average and the 12.52% maximum is where the character lives: expect the bulk of the climb to hover a point or two either side of the mean, with occasional ramps that pull toward that 12.52% ceiling before easing back. Because net gain (771 m) sits close to total ascent (749 m), you can trust the profile — what goes up mostly stays up. There is no hidden dip to bank momentum, so every metre of that 771 m is earned under load.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this length, discipline beats aggression. Aim to ride the first two-thirds a touch below your threshold and hold something in reserve for the steeper ramps toward 12.52%. Anchoring your effort to your FTP is the cleanest way to avoid blowing up: a sustained 6.12% average at 12.6 km is a true threshold-style effort, so knowing your number matters. If you are not sure where yours sits, run the FTP estimator before you plan your target power. Settle your breathing early, spin the shallower sections, and save your matches for the pitches that bite.

Gearing

For most riders a compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette makes Makljen far more sustainable. A 34×32 will cover the 6.12% average comfortably, letting you keep cadence high across the long middle third. But given the 12.52% maximum gradient and the fact that the road keeps climbing for the full 12.6 km, a 34×34 is the safer choice — that extra sprocket buys you a lower, spinnable gear precisely when fatigue meets the steepest ramps. If you tend to grind, size up to the 34×34 and thank yourself near the 1120 m summit.

Summary

Makljen is a classic category 1 test of endurance: long, steady, and honest, rewarding riders who respect the 12.6 km distance and pace to their threshold. Bring low gearing, ration your effort, and let the 771 m come to you.

Length: 12.6 km
Average gradient: 6.12%
Max gradient: 12.52%
Start: 349 m
Summit: 1120 m
Net gain: 771 m
Total ascent: 749 m
Category: 1