Col de la Forclaz

Overview

The Col de la Forclaz in Valais is short on paper and savage in reality. Over just 7 km the road lifts you from 576 m to 1543 m, a net gain of 967 m, at an average gradient of 13.76%. That number alone tells the story: this is not a climb that eases you in, tempts you with false flats, and rewards patience. It is a wall dressed up as a road, and it holds its HC (hors catégorie) rating on steepness rather than sheer length.

To put the demand in perspective, the total ascent logged here is 1385 m — more than the net figure — which means the profile isn't a single clean ramp but includes rolling or pitching sections that give back a little height before clawing it all back. On a climb this steep, even small dips cost you rhythm.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 13.76% average across 7 km is relentless. There is simply no room in that math for meaningful recovery: if some sections sit at or below the average, others must rear well above it to compensate. The gap between the 967 m net gain and the 1385 m of total ascent confirms the road undulates rather than climbs in one uninterrupted line, so expect brief descents or flatter shelves that immediately throw you back into double-digit ramps.

Treat the whole 7 km as a single sustained effort. The summit at 1543 m arrives quickly by distance but slowly by sensation — every kilometre here is worth two on a gentler pass.

Pacing Notes

On a climb averaging 13.76%, pacing is survival. Anchor your effort to your FTP rather than to speed, which will be crawling regardless. Because the gradient rarely relents, you cannot bank time on easy stretches — there aren't any — so ride at a power you can genuinely hold for the full 967 m of climbing to the top.

If you don't know your sustainable number, run the numbers first with the FTP estimator and set a ceiling you refuse to exceed in the opening kilometres. Going into the red early on a 7 km wall like this is unrecoverable; the road will not give you the recovery window to pay the debt back.

Gearing

Gear for the average and respect the pitches above it. On a sustained 13.76% grade, a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette is the sensible baseline for strong climbers who can turn a low cadence under load. For most riders, and for anyone hoping to actually enjoy the summit at 1543 m, go lower: a 34×34 setup buys you the extra cadence that keeps your knees and your morale intact across all 7 km. When a climb averages nearly 14%, easier gearing is never wasted.

Summary

The Col de la Forclaz (Valais) is a compact HC monster: 7 km, 13.76% average, 967 m of net gain topping out at 1543 m. Come with low gears, a disciplined pacing plan, and no illusions about recovery.

Length: 7 km
Average gradient: 13.76%
Max gradient: n/a
Start: 576 m
Summit: 1543 m
Net gain: 967 m
Total ascent: 1385 m
Category: HC