Tschager Joch - Pas da le Coronele - Passo delle Coronelle

Overview

The Tschager Joch - Pas da le Coronele - Passo delle Coronelle is a full hors catégorie ascent, and the raw numbers make no attempt to soften that verdict. Over 20.4 km the road climbs from 313 m to a summit of 2287 m, a net gain of 1974 m and a total ascent of 1918 m once the handful of brief respites are accounted for. The average gradient sits at a punishing 9.68%, sustained across a distance where most climbs would offer at least a few kilometres of relief. This is a climb defined by relentlessness rather than a single wall.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The near-identical figures for net gain (1974 m) and total ascent (1918 m) tell the most important story about this climb's shape: there is almost no downhill or flat within its 20.4 km. Nearly every metre of forward travel is a metre spent going up. With a 9.68% average holding across the full length, you should expect long stretches that hover right around that figure with little variation to let the legs recover.

The 24.19% maximum gradient marks where the road pitches into its steepest ramp — more than two and a half times the average. Sections like that force a hard, low-cadence effort even on fresh legs, and here they arrive with the summit still far above. Because the gain is so evenly distributed, there is no long false-flat finale to spin out; the difficulty stays with you all the way to 2287 m.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long and this steep, discipline beats bravado. The 9.68% average means the ascent will take a serious block of time, so treat your FTP as the ceiling, not the target. Riding at or above threshold on the lower slopes will cost you dearly before the 24.19% ramps arrive, and there is no easy gradient later to bail you out.

If you're unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pacing plan. Aim to sit comfortably below threshold for the bulk of the 20.4 km, keeping something in reserve specifically for the steepest pitches near 24.19%, where power spikes are unavoidable and cadence collapses.

Gearing

Gear for survival, not pride. With a 9.68% average sustained over 20.4 km and spikes to 24.19%, most riders will want the lowest ratio they can fit. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 is the sensible minimum, and on gradients this severe a 34×34 is the smarter choice — that extra sprocket buys you a cadence you can actually hold when the road tilts toward its maximum. If your bike accepts a wider-range cassette, take it; the 1974 m of climbing rewards spinning over grinding every time.

Summary

The Tschager Joch - Pas da le Coronele - Passo delle Coronelle is a relentless, evenly-graded HC monster: 20.4 km with almost no let-up, ramping to 24.19% on the way to a high summit. Come with low gears, a conservative pacing plan, and respect for every one of its 1974 vertical metres.

Length: 20.4 km
Average gradient: 9.68%
Max gradient: 24.19%
Start: 313 m
Summit: 2287 m
Net gain: 1974 m
Total ascent: 1918 m
Category: HC