Niederalpl Pass

Overview

Niederalpl Pass is a Category 2 climb that covers 8.2 km at an average gradient of 5.04%, lifting you from 798 m at the base to 1212 m at the summit. That works out to 414 m of net elevation gain, with 371 m of total ascent logged along the way. It is a climb of honest, sustained effort rather than wall-like severity: the 5.04% mean sits in the sweet spot where a strong rider can hold a rhythm, but the 9.65% maximum guarantees at least one section that forces you out of the saddle or down a gear. At just over eight kilometres, it is long enough to reward pacing discipline and short enough that a hard, controlled effort stays realistic from bottom to top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining tension of this climb is the gap between its 5.04% average and its 9.65% maximum. Because the total ascent (371 m) is slightly less than the net gain (414 m), the profile is overwhelmingly uphill with little in the way of descending relief — you climb, and you keep climbing. Expect long stretches near the average that let you settle into a steady cadence, punctuated by a steeper pitch approaching the 9.65% figure. That single hardest ramp is nearly double the mean gradient, so it will feel disproportionately punishing if you arrive at it already in the red. Treat the 8.2 km as one continuous effort where the steep bite is the crux, not a surprise.

Pacing Notes

The math here is friendly to a threshold-based strategy. Over 8.2 km at 5.04%, most riders will spend somewhere between twenty and forty minutes climbing, which places the whole ascent right around your FTP — the power you can hold for roughly an hour. Aim to ride the shallower kilometres just under threshold so you have headroom for the 9.65% pitch, where holding power costs more for the same speed. If you do not know your threshold number, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first and set a target you can actually sustain to the 1212 m summit. Going out too hard on the lower slopes is the classic mistake on a climb where the steepest section waits for you.

Gearing

With a 9.65% maximum and 8.2 km of near-continuous climbing, gearing that protects your cadence pays for itself. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the steepest ramp while keeping a workable rhythm on the 5.04% average sections. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at a heavier weight, or simply prefer to spin, step up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket keeps your legs turning through the 9.65% pitch instead of grinding. On a Category 2 effort like this, the lower gear rarely goes to waste.

Summary

Niederalpl Pass is a well-rounded Category 2 climb: steady enough to pace intelligently, steep enough in one place to demand respect, and long enough to make your gearing choice matter. Ride the 5.04% average with restraint, save something for the 9.65% pitch, and the 1212 m summit comes on your terms.

Length: 8.2 km
Average gradient: 5.04%
Max gradient: 9.65%
Start: 798 m
Summit: 1212 m
Net gain: 414 m
Total ascent: 371 m
Category: 2