Buchenegg

Overview

Buchenegg is the kind of climb that hides its bite inside a small number. At just 2.7 km long, it looks like a quick effort on paper, but a 7.81% average gradient tells the real story. You start at 572 m and finish at 783 m, a net gain of 211 m packed into a distance most riders can see the top of before they reach it. With a category 3 rating, it sits toward the friendlier end of the classification scale, but the sustained pitch means it never lets you coast. This is a climb you meter out, not one you attack from the base.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency backed by a sharp peak. A 7.81% average across 2.7 km means there is very little flat to recover on — the road tilts up and stays there. The 13.21% maximum gradient is where the effort spikes, a pitch more than five points steeper than the average that will force you out of rhythm if you have overcommitted early. Because the net gain of 211 m is close to the total ascent of 197 m, this is an honest, one-directional climb with almost no false descents to break the tempo. Expect the steepest ramp to arrive as a distinct wall rather than a slow build, and plan to have something left in reserve when the gradient jumps toward that 13.21% figure.

Pacing Notes

On a short, steep climb like this, pacing is about not blowing up in the first third. At 2.7 km, the whole effort will likely sit above your threshold, so anchor your intensity to your FTP and hold a controlled power rather than chasing the steep sections. If you do not know your number, run a quick estimate with the FTP estimator before you ride. The 7.81% average is your baseline effort; treat the 13.21% ramp as a surge to survive, not a place to make gains. Spin a touch below your ceiling on the shallower pitches so you can absorb the wall without redlining. With only 211 m to climb, the summit comes quickly once you are past the hardest ramp — patience early buys you a strong finish.

Gearing

For a 2.7 km climb averaging 7.81% and spiking to 13.21%, gearing that protects your cadence matters more than outright range. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear will handle the average comfortably for most fit riders. If you climb seated, prefer a higher cadence, or expect to be tired when you hit the steepest ramp, step up to 34×34 for extra insurance against that 13.21% pitch. The goal is to keep your legs turning smoothly through the wall rather than grinding to a stall — on a climb this short, a stalled cadence costs you more than a slightly easier gear ever will.

Summary

Buchenegg is a compact, steep, honest climb: short enough to see the top, steep enough to respect. Pace to your threshold, gear for the wall, and you will crest the 211 m of climbing with power to spare.

Length: 2.7 km
Average gradient: 7.81%
Max gradient: 13.21%
Start: 572 m
Summit: 783 m
Net gain: 211 m
Total ascent: 197 m
Category: 3