Präbichl

Overview

Präbichl is a category 2 climb that rewards steady effort over raw explosiveness. Across 12.8 km it averages 4.64%, lifting you from a start elevation of 649 m to a summit at 1243 m. On paper that is a net gain of 594 m, while the recorded total ascent of 577 m tells you the road is not relentlessly uphill — there are brief flatter or gently descending stretches that give the profile its rhythm. The headline number to respect is the 12.46% maximum gradient, a pitch steep enough to change your day if you hit it out of position.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 4.64% average across nearly 13 km sounds forgiving, and for long sections it is. But averages hide the shape. With a maximum of 12.46% — well over double the mean — the difficulty is concentrated rather than evenly spread. Expect passages that sit comfortably below the average, where you can settle into a diesel tempo, punctuated by ramps that spike toward that 12.46% figure. The small gap between the 594 m net gain and the 577 m of total ascent confirms there is very little false flat or descent to recover on; almost every metre you climb, you keep. Read the road ahead, because the steep bites are where the climb is won or lost.

Pacing Notes

The smart way up Präbichl is to anchor your effort to your FTP and hold something in reserve for the steep ramps. On the shallower sections, riding just under threshold keeps fatigue in check; when the gradient rears toward 12.46%, let your power drift up briefly rather than trying to keep speed constant. Over 12.8 km at 4.64%, consistency beats heroics — a rider who paces evenly will pass one who burned matches early. If you are not sure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your target for the day.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 4.64% with pitches to 12.46%, gearing is about protecting your cadence on the steep sections. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the summit, keeping cadence respectable through the harder ramps. If you would rather spin than grind — or you are carrying luggage, riding tired, or simply prefer to save your legs across the full 12.8 km — a 34×34 gives you that extra margin exactly where the gradient touches 12.46%. There is no prize for muscling a bigger gear here; the lower ratio lets you sit and turn the pedals to the top.

Summary

Präbichl is a classic category 2 test of pacing: long enough to matter at 12.8 km, steep enough in places at 12.46% to punish poor gear choices, but manageable with an honest tempo and a compact drivetrain. Meter it out, respect the ramps, and enjoy the climb up to 1243 m.

Length: 12.8 km
Average gradient: 4.64%
Max gradient: 12.46%
Start: 649 m
Summit: 1243 m
Net gain: 594 m
Total ascent: 577 m
Category: 2