Tskhratskaro Pass

Overview

Tskhratskaro Pass is a genuine high-mountain test: 28.9 km of continuous climbing that lifts you from a start elevation of 869 m all the way to a summit of 2460 m. That is 1591 m of net elevation gain, backed by 1585 m of total ascent — a figure so close to the net that this is an almost purely uphill effort, with barely a metre of respite along the way. At an average gradient of 5.5% the number sounds approachable, but the length is what defines this climb, and the 19.9% max gradient warns you that the averages hide some savage moments. It earns its HC (hors catégorie) rating on distance and vertical alone.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline average of 5.5% is a useful anchor, but over 28.9 km it smooths out enormous variation. With a max gradient of 19.9%, the difference between the steepest ramps and the average is more than 14 percentage points — meaning long stretches must sit below 5.5% to balance the walls that spike toward 20%. Expect a rolling, uneven profile: gentler drags where you can settle into a rhythm, punctuated by sharp pitches that force you out of the saddle. Because total ascent (1585 m) so nearly matches net gain (1591 m), there are no meaningful descents to recover on — every kilometre trends upward, and the climb simply keeps stacking altitude until you reach 2460 m.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Ride the first two-thirds well within yourself, anchoring your effort around FTP rather than chasing the steep ramps. The 19.9% pitches will always cost more than you expect, so let your power drift high on those and recover it on the shallower sections that pull the average down to 5.5%. Over 28.9 km and 1591 m of gain, a pace that feels too easy early is usually exactly right. If you are unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target, then hold that ceiling steadily rather than surging.

Gearing

The combination of 28.9 km, a 5.5% average and a 19.9% max gradient makes a compact setup and a wide-range cassette non-negotiable. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the summit, but it leaves little in reserve when the gradient stabs toward 20% deep into the climb, with tired legs and thin air at 2460 m. For that reason, err toward a 34×34 or lower if your drivetrain allows — the extra range lets you keep a spinning cadence on the steepest ramps instead of grinding, which protects your legs across the full 1591 m of ascent.

Summary

Tskhratskaro Pass is an HC climb defined by its scale: nearly 29 km of near-uninterrupted ascent to well over 2400 m, with a friendly-looking average that masks slopes touching 20%. Pace it patiently, gear it generously, and respect the length.

Length: 28.9 km
Average gradient: 5.5%
Max gradient: 19.9%
Start: 869 m
Summit: 2460 m
Net gain: 1591 m
Total ascent: 1585 m
Category: HC