Qafa e Prushit

Overview

Qafa e Prushit is a 7.9 km ascent that climbs from a base at 314 m to a summit of 680 m, a net elevation gain of 366 m. With an average gradient of 4.66% and a peak of 12.8%, it earns a category 3 rating — a genuine, sustained effort without the brutality of the higher categories. The total ascent of 350 m sits just under the net gain figure, which tells you this is an honest, mostly-uphill road with very little false descent to break your rhythm. From bottom to top you are almost always working.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The math frames the character of this climb clearly. Spread 366 m of net gain across 7.9 km and you land on that 4.66% average, a gradient most riders can hold in the saddle. But the 12.8% max is nearly three times steeper than the average, so the difficulty is not evenly distributed. Expect stretches noticeably shallower than 4.66% that let you recover, offset by one or more ramps that spike toward double digits. Because total ascent (350 m) is so close to net gain (366 m), those ramps are not hiding behind dips — the road commits to going up and largely stays there. Read the pitches ahead and you can carry momentum from the easier sections into the steep ones.

Pacing Notes

The steadiness of a 4.66% average makes this an ideal climb for pacing by effort rather than feel. Anchor your target to a percentage of your FTP and hold it through the shallow sections rather than surging — you will want that reserve when the gradient bites toward 12.8%. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go, then ride the flatter stretches slightly under target and allow yourself to drift over it briefly on the steep ramps. Across 7.9 km the time cost of over-cooking the early kilometres is real; a disciplined, even effort will get you to 680 m faster and fresher than a stop-start approach.

Gearing

For a 7.9 km climb averaging 4.66% with ramps to 12.8%, gearing should protect your cadence on the steep bits. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is enough for most trained riders to spin the 12.8% pitches without grinding. If you climb at a lower cadence, carry extra weight, or simply want insurance for the steepest ramp, step up to a 34×34. Either way, the goal is to keep your legs turning over on the double-digit sections so the shallower 4.66%-average terrain feels like recovery rather than a slog.

Summary

Qafa e Prushit is a well-rounded category 3 climb: long enough at 7.9 km to reward pacing, steady enough at 4.66% to ride in rhythm, and spiked enough at 12.8% to demand respect and sensible gearing. Meter your effort, gear for the ramps, and the 366 m to the summit will unfold cleanly beneath you.

Length: 7.9 km
Average gradient: 4.66%
Max gradient: 12.8%
Start: 314 m
Summit: 680 m
Net gain: 366 m
Total ascent: 350 m
Category: 3