Passo Feudo - Satteljoch

Overview

Passo Feudo - Satteljoch is an HC climb, the hardest tier of the categorization system that runs HC, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Over 21.5 km it lifts you from 529 m at the base to a summit of 2117 m, a net elevation gain of 1588 m. The average gradient sits at a relentless 7.38%, and the total ascent of 1554 m confirms that this is a near-continuous drag upward with little in the way of recovery. This is a climb measured in patience as much as power.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline figure is the 7.38% average, but averages hide the story. With a maximum gradient of 17.38%, there are pitches here that spike more than 10 percentage points above the mean. The gap between the 1588 m net gain and the 1554 m of total ascent is small, telling you this ascent barely gives anything back — there are almost no descents or flat sections to break the rhythm. Expect the road to hover around the 7.38% mark for long stretches, then rear up toward the 17.38% ceiling on the steepest ramps. Because the summit stands at 2117 m, the thinning air in the final kilometers compounds the gradient, making the last portion feel harder than the numbers alone suggest.

Pacing Notes

At 21.5 km, this is a sustained effort where discipline beats aggression. Anchor your pacing to your FTP: on an HC climb of this length, riding just below threshold for the bulk of the ascent leaves headroom for the 17.38% ramps without blowing up. Save matches for those spikes rather than burning them early on the steady 7.38% grade. If you are unsure of your threshold power, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you set your target. With 1588 m to climb, a pace that feels almost too easy in the first few kilometers is usually the right one.

Gearing

Gearing matters enormously here. A 21.5 km climb averaging 7.38% with ramps to 17.38% will punish anyone over-geared. A compact chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline: 34×32 is the minimum most riders should consider for a climb of this severity, and on the steepest 17.38% pitches many will be grateful for 34×34. If your legs or your loaded bike suggest you will be grinding, err toward the easier 34×34 — spinning a low gear preserves your muscles across 1588 m of climbing far better than muscling a bigger ratio.

Summary

Passo Feudo - Satteljoch earns its HC status honestly: 21.5 km, a 7.38% average that rarely relents, and a 17.38% maximum that will find your limits. With 1588 m of net gain to a 2117 m summit, come with low gears, a measured pace, and respect for the distance.

Length: 21.5 km
Average gradient: 7.38%
Max gradient: 17.38%
Start: 529 m
Summit: 2117 m
Net gain: 1588 m
Total ascent: 1554 m
Category: HC