Russiskreuz

Overview

Russiskreuz is an hors catégorie climb, the hardest rating on the road, and its numbers explain why. Over 15.2 km the road rises from 541 m to 1732 m, a net gain of 1191 m at an average gradient of 7.84%. That average alone would make a hard climb; sustained across more than fifteen kilometres it becomes a genuine HC effort where there is nowhere to truly recover. With a maximum pitch of 14.09%, the ceiling is nearly double the average, so even riders who settle into a rhythm should expect ramps that force them out of it.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape of Russiskreuz is defined by the gap between its average and its extremes. At 7.84% average with a 14.09% maximum, the climb is not a single steady wall but a series of harder pitches strung between more moderate stretches. The total ascent of 1162 m sits just below the net gain of 1191 m, which tells you the road climbs almost continuously — there is little to no descending or false flat to hand back elevation along the way. Practically, that means the 7.84% figure is honest: you are climbing nearly the whole time, and the steeper sections near 14.09% are paid for by slightly gentler grades elsewhere rather than by rest.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline early is everything. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold something in reserve for the steepest ramps, where the gradient jumps toward 14.09% and power spikes if you try to keep the same cadence. Riding the whole 15.2 km near threshold is a recipe for blowing up before the 1732 m summit; most riders are better served sitting just below FTP on the sustained 7.84% grades and absorbing the surges. If you are unsure what your threshold actually is, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pacing plan. Aim to reach the halfway point feeling like you have held back slightly — the final kilometres of an HC climb always cost more than the profile suggests.

Gearing

For an HC climb averaging 7.84% with pitches to 14.09%, gear low and keep something in reserve. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette gives most trained riders enough range to spin the sustained sections without grinding. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at altitude near the 1732 m summit, or simply want to protect your knees over 15.2 km, step down to 34×34 for a rounder cadence on the steepest ramps. The extra teeth cost almost nothing on the flatter recovery grades and buy real insurance when the road tilts toward its maximum.

Summary

Russiskreuz is a long, honest HC climb: over 15.2 km it barely lets up, averaging 7.84% while spiking to 14.09%, and it deposits you 1191 m higher than where you started. Pace it below threshold, gear low, and respect the length.

Length: 15.2 km
Average gradient: 7.84%
Max gradient: 14.09%
Start: 541 m
Summit: 1732 m
Net gain: 1191 m
Total ascent: 1162 m
Category: HC