Packsattel

Overview

Packsattel is a long, steady category 2 climb that asks for patience rather than raw explosiveness. Over 18.7 km it lifts you from a valley floor at 455 m to a summit of 1192 m, a net gain of 737 m at an average gradient of 3.94%. That average tells you most of the story: this is a tempo climb, a place where rhythm and pacing discipline matter far more than the ability to punch out of the saddle.

But averages hide the sharp edges. With a maximum gradient of 13.11% — more than three times the average — Packsattel keeps a few teeth in reserve. The total ascent of 765 m sits slightly above the 737 m net gain, which means the road isn't perfectly uphill the whole way; there are short easings and dips that let the profile breathe before the next ramp.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Think of Packsattel as a shallow river with the occasional rapid. At 3.94% average across 18.7 km, long stretches will feel almost conversational, the kind of gradient you can hold in the big ring on a good day. The challenge is that these gentle sections lull you into spending energy you'll want later.

The 13.11% maximum is the number to respect. Because the total ascent (765 m) exceeds the net gain (737 m) by 28 m, you know the climb hands back a little elevation along the way — brief flattenings or descents that reset your legs but also reset your momentum. When the road kicks toward that double-digit maximum, the contrast with the easy averages makes it bite harder than the raw figure suggests.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long and this steady, pacing to your FTP is the winning strategy. Ride the shallow 3.94% sections at a controlled, sustainable output and resist the urge to chase the tempo up — 18.7 km is enough distance to punish an early overreach. Save headroom for the 13.11% ramp, where you'll want to briefly lift above threshold and then settle back.

If you're unsure what wattage to hold across a 737 m ascent, run your numbers through the FTP estimator first. Knowing your ceiling lets you meter effort across all 18.7 km instead of guessing and blowing up before the summit.

Gearing

The moderate 3.94% average doesn't demand ultra-low gearing, but the 13.11% maximum earns you the right to bring a bailout. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sweet spot here. A 34×32 will get most riders over Packsattel comfortably, keeping cadence honest on the steep pitches without spinning out on the gentle grades.

If you're carrying fatigue, climbing on tired legs, or simply prefer to spin, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket turns the 13.11% ramp from a grind into a manageable seated effort across the full 18.7 km.

Summary

Packsattel rewards the disciplined climber: a long, mostly gentle ascent with just enough steep punctuation to matter. Pace it to threshold, gear for the maximum, and let the 3.94% average do its quiet work.

Length: 18.7 km
Average gradient: 3.94%
Max gradient: 13.11%
Start: 455 m
Summit: 1192 m
Net gain: 737 m
Total ascent: 765 m
Category: 2