Rupel Pass

Overview

Rupel Pass is a compact category 4 climb that packs a genuine effort into a small package. Over just 2.5 km the road lifts you from 67 m at the base to 223 m at the summit, a net gain of 156 m. The total ascent registers 135 m, slightly less than the point-to-point difference, which tells you the profile isn't a single unbroken ramp — there's a little relief mixed into the drag. At an average of 6.23% this sits firmly in the "you'll feel it" range without ever tipping into brutal, and with a maximum pitch of 10.12% there's exactly one moment where the gradient bares its teeth.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Do the arithmetic and the shape becomes clear. A steady 2.5 km at the 6.23% average would deliver most of the climb, but the peak of 10.12% is well above that mean, so the effort is front-loaded or back-loaded rather than evenly spread. The gap between the 156 m net gain and the 135 m of total ascent — about 21 m — is the signature of a false flat or short dip somewhere along the way, a spot where the road eases before resuming its work. Expect the climb to alternate between sustained 6-to-7% grinding and one distinctly steeper kick approaching 10.12%. That single ramp is where you'll shift down and where the category 4 rating earns its keep.

Pacing Notes

At 2.5 km this is a climb you can nearly bury yourself on and survive. Aim to ride the sustained sections right around or just above your FTP, holding a rhythm through the 6.23% average and saving a small reserve for the 10.12% pitch — don't spike your power early and blow before the steep bit. If you're unsure where your threshold actually sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your effort. A well-paced ascent here means arriving at the summit at 223 m having spent everything, not cracking two-thirds of the way up.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 6.23% with a 10.12% maximum, a compact setup is the sensible default. A 34×32 will cover most riders comfortably through the sustained grades and give you enough range to spin the steep kick without grinding to a crawl. If you carry endurance-ride weight, prefer a higher cadence, or simply want insurance on that 10.12% ramp, a 34×34 buys you an extra rung and keeps your legs turning smoothly right to the 223 m summit. Given the climb is only 2.5 km, either choice works — the 34×34 just trades a touch of top-end for a friendlier low gear.

Summary

Rupel Pass rewards a smart, committed effort: pace the 6.23% average, respect the 10.12% pitch, and use gearing that lets you spin rather than mash. Short enough to attack, steep enough to sting — a satisfying category 4.

Length: 2.5 km
Average gradient: 6.23%
Max gradient: 10.12%
Start: 67 m
Summit: 223 m
Net gain: 156 m
Total ascent: 135 m
Category: 4