Preiner Gscheid Pass

Overview

Preiner Gscheid Pass is a category 2 climb that rewards steady effort over raw punch. From the base at 482 m it runs 12.7 km to a summit of 1072 m, giving a net elevation gain of 590 m. The average gradient sits at 4.64%, which places it firmly in tempo territory rather than a brutal wall — but the total ascent of 568 m confirms there are no significant descents to break up the workload once you commit. It is long enough to test your pacing discipline and just steep enough, in places, to punish anyone who starts too hard.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to respect is the max gradient of 11.54%. At more than double the 4.64% average, that spike tells you the climb is not evenly graded. Expect long stretches that sit close to or just under the average, interrupted by shorter, steeper pitches that push toward that 11.54% ceiling. Because the net gain of 590 m sits slightly above the total ascent of 568 m, the road climbs almost continuously — you gain height nearly the whole way rather than clawing back lost ground. Read the road ahead: settle into a rhythm on the gentler tempo sections, then absorb the steep ramps without blowing your effort apart.

Pacing Notes

Over 12.7 km, pacing is everything. Anchor your effort to your FTP and treat the 4.64% average as your baseline sustainable zone. On the ramps toward 11.54%, let your power drift up briefly, then recover on the shallower sections rather than surging. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first — a climb of this length exposes any mistake in your opening kilometers. The classic error here is treating the first steep pitch as the whole climb; with 590 m still to gain, you want to arrive at the final ramps with something left in reserve.

Gearing

For a 12.7 km climb averaging 4.64% with pitches to 11.54%, most riders will want a compact setup with a wide cassette. A 34×32 lowest gear is a sensible starting point and will carry stronger climbers through the steep sections at a workable cadence. If you prefer to spin, favor lighter frames, or simply want insurance against the 11.54% ramps late in the climb, step up to 34×34. That extra sprocket keeps your cadence high on the steepest pitches and protects your legs across the full 590 m of climbing, which matters most in the closing kilometers.

Summary

Preiner Gscheid Pass is a measured category 2 effort: long, steady, and defined by tempo riding punctuated by a handful of genuinely steep ramps. Pace it to your threshold, gear for the 11.54% spikes, and it becomes a satisfying climb rather than a survival exercise.

Length: 12.7 km
Average gradient: 4.64%
Max gradient: 11.54%
Start: 482 m
Summit: 1072 m
Net gain: 590 m
Total ascent: 568 m
Category: 2