Pyhrn Pass

Overview

Pyhrn Pass is a 7.4 km climb that rises from a start elevation of 643 m to a summit at 909 m. That gives a net elevation gain of 266 m, spread across an average gradient of 3.62%. At those numbers it earns a category 4 rating — the gentlest of the classified tiers, sitting below categories 3, 2, 1 and the fearsome hors catégorie above them.

Do not let the modest average fool you into complacency, though. A 3.62% mean over 7.4 km is the kind of grade that rewards rhythm rather than raw power. It is long enough to matter, shallow enough to stay seated, and steady enough that pacing errors compound quietly rather than punishing you all at once.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency. With a 3.62% average and a maximum gradient of just 6.1%, the pitch never strays far from what your legs feel at the base. The gap between the average and the max is only about 2.48 percentage points, which tells you there are no wall-like ramps waiting to break your cadence.

Note also the difference between net gain and total ascent: the climb nets 266 m but records 244 m of total ascent. That small discrepancy points to a road that is not purely uphill — there are brief flatter or gently descending stretches folded into the 7.4 km, moments where the grade eases and you can recover before the next drag resumes. Treat those as free rest, not as a signal to surge.

Pacing Notes

Because the steepest section tops out at 6.1%, you rarely need to leave the saddle. The smart approach is to anchor your effort to a sustainable percentage of your FTP and hold it flat across all 7.4 km. On a climb this even, going out hard on the lower slopes buys you nothing — the 266 m of gain will still be there at the top, and you will simply arrive slower and more cooked.

Aim for a tempo you could hold well beyond the summit. If you are unsure what number that is, run your recent efforts through the FTP estimator and set a target power or heart-rate band before you start. Then let the gentle sections recover you and roll the 6.1% pitches without spiking.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 3.62% and maxing at 6.1%, most riders will be comfortably geared with a compact setup. A 34×32 low gear gives plenty of headroom to spin the steepest ramps without grinding, keeping cadence high across the full 7.4 km.

If you favour high-cadence climbing, prefer to stay seated, or are carrying luggage or fatigue, a 34×34 buys you an extra margin of comfort on the 6.1% sections. On a category 4 grade neither is strictly necessary for strong riders, but the lighter gear costs nothing and protects your legs on longer days.

Summary

Pyhrn Pass is an approachable, rhythmic category 4 ascent — 7.4 km of steady 3.62% climbing that rewards even pacing over heroics. Set your effort at the base, use the flatter breaks to recover, and let the 266 m of net gain come to you.

Length: 7.4 km
Average gradient: 3.62%
Max gradient: 6.1%
Start: 643 m
Summit: 909 m
Net gain: 266 m
Total ascent: 244 m
Category: 4