Ochsenlenke

Overview

Ochsenlenke is a hors catégorie monster, the kind of climb that reorders your idea of what "steep" means. Over 19 km it averages 8.95%, dragging you from a start elevation of 867 m all the way to a 2565 m summit. That is 1698 m of net elevation gain, with a total ascent of 1668 m once the small respites are accounted for. On paper the average alone would earn an HC rating on most ranking systems; the 31.98% maximum gradient pushes it into a different league entirely.

There is nothing gentle here. A climb that holds nearly 9% for the better part of 19 km leaves no room to hide, and the top-out above 2500 m means the final kilometres are fought in thinning air.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Think of Ochsenlenke as a long, relentless wall rather than a series of distinct ramps. With an 8.95% average sustained across the full 19 km, most of the ascent sits in the 8-10% band that grinds riders down slowly. The story of the climb is written in its spikes: the 31.98% maximum gradient is a savage pitch that will force even strong climbers out of the saddle, and possibly onto the rivet.

The gap between the 8.95% average and that 31.98% peak tells you the climb is not uniform. Expect the steepest ramps to punctuate an already-hard baseline, so momentum management matters far more than raw top-end power. Carry speed into the pitches, and never let your cadence collapse before them.

Pacing Notes

Discipline wins here. Set your effort by your FTP rather than by feel, because the first few kilometres feel deceptively manageable and the climb is far too long to bluff. On a sustained 8.95% grade over 19 km, going even slightly too hard early will cost you dearly near the 2565 m summit.

If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers with the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. Aim to sit just below threshold on the steady sections and accept that the 31.98% spikes will briefly launch you well above it — that is unavoidable. The goal is to keep those surges short and recover quickly, not to hold a flat power number through them.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this climb. With an 8.95% average and pitches touching 31.98%, most riders will want the widest range they can bolt on. A 34×32 is the sensible baseline for a fit climber, giving enough spin to survive the sustained middle. If you have any doubt about your climbing legs, or you are carrying luggage, step up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket buys precious cadence on the steepest ramps and preserves your legs across the full 19 km. Between 34×32 and 34×34, err toward the larger cog; you will never regret having it on a 1698 m ascent.

Summary

Ochsenlenke is a genuine bucket-list HC climb: long, high, and viciously steep in places. Respect the numbers, gear low, and pace by threshold, and the 2565 m summit is within reach.

Length: 19 km
Average gradient: 8.95%
Max gradient: 31.98%
Start: 867 m
Summit: 2565 m
Net gain: 1698 m
Total ascent: 1668 m
Category: HC