Pfanntörl

Overview

Pfanntörl is a full hors catégorie ascent, and the raw numbers explain why. It runs for 19.3 km at an average gradient of 7.74%, starting at 1093 m and topping out at 2585 m. That is a net elevation gain of 1492 m, with 1465 m of total ascent packed into the climb — meaning almost every metre goes up, with barely any respite. Add a maximum gradient of 35.73%, and you have a climb that demands both endurance and the capacity to survive brutal, isolated spikes. This is not a rhythm climb you float up; it is a sustained effort that will test your ceiling.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An average of 7.74% over 19.3 km already sits firmly in HC territory, but averages hide the story. The gap between the 7.74% mean and the 35.73% maximum is enormous — over 27 percentage points — which tells you the climb is far from uniform. Expect long stretches that hover around the average, punctuated by ramps that briefly turn savagely steep. On a climb gaining 1492 m from base to summit, the steepest pitch near 35.73% is the kind of wall that forces you out of the saddle whether you want to be there or not. The mismatch between 1492 m of net gain and 1465 m of total ascent confirms there is virtually no descending or flat recovery — once you start, the road simply keeps rising.

Pacing Notes

With almost 1500 m to climb over 19.3 km, discipline early is everything. Treat the first two-thirds as a controlled effort held comfortably below your FTP, because the steep ramps toward 35.73% will spike your power involuntarily and you cannot afford to arrive at them already redlined. If you do not know your threshold, run your recent numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan a target for the day. At a 7.74% average, even small surges above threshold compound quickly over 19.3 km, so bank patience in the lower slopes and save your matches for the walls. The 1093 m start already sits at moderate altitude, and the 2585 m summit is high enough that thinner air will sharpen the sting of every steep section near the top.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. A 7.74% average sustained for 19.3 km, with pitches to 35.73%, punishes anyone spinning out of easy cogs too soon. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 is the minimum most riders should consider, and even strong climbers will be grateful for a 34×34 when the gradient rears toward its 35.73% maximum. If your setup allows an even easier bailout gear, use it — protecting your knees and your reserves over 1492 m of climbing is far smarter than pride.

Summary

Pfanntörl is an unrelenting HC test: 19.3 km, a 7.74% average, spikes to 35.73%, and 1492 m of vertical from 1093 m to 2585 m with almost no recovery. Pace it conservatively, gear it generously, and respect the walls.

Length: 19.3 km
Average gradient: 7.74%
Max gradient: 35.73%
Start: 1093 m
Summit: 2585 m
Net gain: 1492 m
Total ascent: 1465 m
Category: HC