Pragelpass

Overview

Pragelpass is a long, patient category 1 climb that asks for endurance more than explosive power. Over 22.7 km the road lifts you from a valley floor at 454 m all the way to a 1578 m summit, a net gain of 1124 m. The average gradient reads a modest 4.94%, but the profile hides its teeth: with 1127 m of total ascent packed into those kilometres, there is barely a metre of relief where you can freewheel. This is a climb you settle into, not one you attack.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline 4.94% average is deceptive. Total ascent of 1127 m against a net gain of 1124 m tells you almost the entire road tilts upward — there is only a whisper of descent to interrupt the effort. That means the true riding gradient is a touch steeper than the average suggests, because the flatter, catch-your-breath sections are rare. The defining feature is the max gradient of 15.4%, more than triple the average. Expect the pitch to swing between gentle 3-4% drags and short, sharp ramps that spike toward that 15.4% ceiling. The climb rewards riders who hold a steady output and refuse to blow up on the steep kickers, knowing the road always eases again before long.

Pacing Notes

At 22.7 km, Pragelpass is a sustained effort measured in tens of minutes, so pace it off your threshold rather than your ambition. Riding just below your FTP for the shallow majority, then absorbing the 15.4% ramps by spinning rather than mashing, is the way to reach the 1578 m summit with something left. The single biggest mistake is over-cooking the early slopes because the 4.94% average feels forgiving — bank that discipline and the 1124 m of climbing comes to you. If you don't know your threshold yet, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your target power and time.

Gearing

With 15.4% ramps waiting to punish an over-geared cassette, give yourself room to spin. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline here. A 34×32 will carry most fit riders through the steep pitches at a survivable cadence, and it's a good default for a climb whose average is a manageable 4.94%. But because those ramps hit 15.4% after you've already banked a chunk of the 1124 m gain, tired legs will thank you for a 34×34 — the extra tooth keeps your cadence up and your knees happy over 22.7 km of near-continuous ascent. If in doubt, take the easier gear; you can always stay seated and steady.

Summary

Pragelpass is a long-haul category 1 climb that trades brutal steepness for relentless duration. Respect the 22.7 km, pace off your threshold, gear for the 15.4% ramps, and the 1578 m summit is a satisfying reward rather than a survival story.

Length: 22.7 km
Average gradient: 4.94%
Max gradient: 15.4%
Start: 454 m
Summit: 1578 m
Net gain: 1124 m
Total ascent: 1127 m
Category: 1