Tamierpass

Overview

Tamierpass is a hors catégorie climb that leaves no room for compromise. Over 11.1 km it averages a punishing 16.52%, dragging you from a start elevation of 454 m to a summit at 2295 m. That is 1841 m of net vertical gain packed into a distance most riders would associate with a gentle warm-up. With a category rating of HC — the hardest classification, sitting above categories 1, 2, 3 and 4 — this is a climb defined entirely by sustained, relentless steepness rather than length. There is nowhere to hide and almost nothing to recover on.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The single most important number here is the 16.52% average. On most climbs an average in double digits already signals a serious effort, but 16.52% across the full 11.1 km means the road tilts up like a wall from bottom to top. The total ascent of 1789 m sits just below the net gain of 1841 m, a 52 m difference that tells you there is essentially no descending or false-flat relief along the way — what you climb, you keep. Expect the gradient to hold near or above its average for long, uninterrupted stretches, so plan to settle into a rhythm you can hold for the entire vertical span rather than chasing surges.

Pacing Notes

At this severity, pacing is survival. Anchor your effort to your sustainable power, not your ego. Your FTP is the single best reference point for a climb this steep, because grades near 16.52% force your power output to spike unless you deliberately hold back. Aim to ride the lower climb comfortably under threshold so you have something left for the upper reaches toward 2295 m, where the thin air compounds the effort. If you are unsure of your threshold number, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. On 1841 m of unbroken gain, going out too hard in the first few kilometres is the fastest way to blow apart before the summit.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this climb. A 16.52% average sustained for 11.1 km will punish any setup that leaves you grinding at low cadence. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the minimum sensible starting point. A 34×32 is the smallest ratio most riders should consider here, and honestly even that will feel tall when the road refuses to relent. If your legs or your body weight suggest any doubt, fit a 34×34 instead — the extra sprocket buys you a lower gear and a higher, more sustainable cadence, which is exactly what preserves your legs across 1841 m of climbing. On an HC wall like this, spinning is faster and safer than grinding.

Summary

Tamierpass is a pure test of sustained climbing: short in distance, savage in gradient, and unforgiving from start to finish. Come with low gears, a disciplined pacing plan, and respect for the 16.52% that defines it.

Length: 11.1 km
Average gradient: 16.52%
Max gradient: n/a
Start: 454 m
Summit: 2295 m
Net gain: 1841 m
Total ascent: 1789 m
Category: HC