Uzhok pass

Overview

Uzhok pass is a 7.5 km category 3 climb that rises from a start elevation of 510 m to a summit of 856 m. That gives it a net elevation gain of 346 m and a total ascent of 335 m, spread across an average gradient of 4.62%. With a max gradient of 7.44%, it never turns brutal, but the sustained pitch and honest length make it a proper test of steady climbing rather than a short punch.

This is the kind of ascent that rewards rhythm. There are no double-digit ramps to survive, no wall to force you out of the saddle for minutes at a time. Instead you get 7.5 km of consistent effort where the difference between a good day and a bad one comes down to how well you meter your pace early.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The numbers tell a clean story. Over 7.5 km you climb 346 m net, and the total ascent of 335 m confirms there is almost no downhill or flat give-back along the way — this is nearly all up. An average of 4.62% against a max of 7.44% means the steepest section is only a couple of points above the mean, so the climb sits within a narrow band of difficulty from bottom to top.

Practically, expect the road to hover around the mid-4% mark for most of its length, stiffening toward that 7.44% pinch where the gradient bites hardest. Because the spread between average and max is modest, you can read the whole climb as one continuous effort rather than a series of distinct sectors. The final metres up to 856 m are where accumulated fatigue, not raw steepness, decides your time.

Pacing Notes

Treat Uzhok pass as a sustained tempo effort. At 4.62% average over 7.5 km, most riders will be climbing for a solid block of time, so the smart play is to settle just below threshold and hold it. Anchor your effort to your FTP: aim to ride the bulk of the climb at a comfortably hard, repeatable wattage, then allow yourself to lift toward threshold as you approach the 7.44% max section.

If you are not sure what number to pace against, run the FTP estimator first and build your target watts from there. The key mistake on a climb this even is going out too hard on the lower slopes and paying for it near the 856 m summit. Save a small margin for the steepest pitch and the final push.

Gearing

For a 346 m climb at 4.62% average, a compact setup is more than enough for most riders. A 34×32 lowest gear gives you a comfortable spin through the steady mid-4% grades and enough range to absorb the 7.44% pinch without grinding. If you carry extra fatigue, prefer a higher cadence, or simply want insurance on tired legs, step up to a 34×34. Either way, the goal is to keep your cadence smooth and your effort even rather than muscling over the top.

Summary

Uzhok pass is an honest, evenly graded category 3 climb — long enough to matter, never steep enough to break you. Pace it as a tempo effort, gear for comfort, and let the consistent gradient do the work.

Length: 7.5 km
Average gradient: 4.62%
Max gradient: 7.44%
Start: 510 m
Summit: 856 m
Net gain: 346 m
Total ascent: 335 m
Category: 3