Renggpass

Overview

Renggpass is a category 2 climb in Switzerland. It runs 5.2 km from a start elevation of 430 m to a summit at 877 m, delivering a net elevation gain of 447 m. That combination of a short distance and a substantial vertical yields a demanding average, and the climb rarely lets you settle into a steady rhythm.

The total ascent recorded on Renggpass is 456 m, which is 9 m more than the net elevation gain of 447 m. That gap is small, so this is a mostly consistent uphill grind rather than a broken, roller-heavy climb. Still, the 9 m of extra vertical means there are brief flatter or downhill breaks that force you to re-accelerate, and each re-acceleration on a climb this steep costs real energy.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 8.6% average is honest but incomplete. On a climb with a maximum of 16.69%, the average smooths over ramps that are nearly double the mean, and those ramps are where the climb is won or lost. Expect the effort to swing above and below 8.6% rather than hold steady.

• Short flatter or recovery breaks, accounting for the 9 m of extra ascent, where you can briefly ease off
• Sustained mid-climb sections sitting near or just above the 8.6% average
• The steepest ramp approaching 16.69%, roughly double the average, demanding a hard, out-of-saddle or low-cadence push

Pacing Notes

Pace this climb by effort, not by speed. Because the gradient varies and there are brief recovery breaks, holding a fixed speed would force you to spike your power on the steep ramps and coast on the flatter breaks. Instead, anchor your climb to your sustainable power output and hold that number through the pitches, letting your speed drop on the 16.69% ramps and rise on the breaks.

If you do not know your ceiling, run the FTP estimator before you commit to a number. With only 5.2 km to cover, you can afford to sit slightly above threshold, but going out too hard on the early gradient will cost you badly when the steepest ramp arrives.

Gearing

The maximum gradient of 16.69% dictates your setup. On a pitch that steep, a standard chainset will leave you grinding a cadence that shreds your legs. Fit a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 gives you the low gear needed to spin up the 16.69% ramp without stalling. Check your chainset and cassette before the ride; discovering you are over-geared at the bottom of a 5.2 km climb is a mistake you cannot undo mid-ascent.

Summary

• Length: 5.2 km
• Average gradient: 8.6%
• Maximum gradient: 16.69%
• Net elevation gain: 447 m
• Total ascent: 456 m
• Category: 2

Renggpass is a short, steep, honest climb: 5.2 km at 8.6% average with a 16.69% sting. Pace it by effort, gear low, and respect the ramps.