Holzleiten Saddle

Overview

Holzleiten Saddle is a long, steady category 3 climb that trades brutal steepness for sheer endurance. Over 15.3 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 627 m to a summit of 1125 m, a net gain of 498 m. Do the quick math and the average gradient works out to a gentle 3.26% — a number that reads like a warm-up but stretches across nearly a quarter-hour or more of continuous work. This is a climb of patience, not panic: the kind of ascent where rhythm, not raw power, gets you to the top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Don't let the 3.26% average lull you. The max gradient touches 8.36%, meaning the road is far from uniform. A 15.3 km climb averaging 3.26% with peaks of 8.36% tells you there's variety underfoot — mellow drags where you can settle into the saddle, punctuated by steeper pitches that force you out of your comfort zone. Interestingly, the net elevation gain of 498 m slightly exceeds the total ascent of 486 m, a reminder that the profile isn't a single clean ramp; there are subtle undulations along the way. Read the road ahead and save your matches for the ramps toward 8.36%.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline pays. Because the average sits at just 3.26%, you can hold a strong tempo without redlining — aim to ride the flatter sections just below your FTP and only nudge above it on the steepest pitches near 8.36%. Overcooking the early kilometres is the classic mistake here; with 15.3 km to cover, a few percentage points too hard at the base compounds into a grim final stretch. If you're unsure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you tackle it, then anchor your effort to that figure. Steady beats surging every time on Holzleiten.

Gearing

For most riders, a compact setup handles Holzleiten comfortably. A 34×32 low gear is plenty for the 3.26% average and will spin you up the 8.36% ramps without grinding, provided your legs are fresh. If you're carrying fatigue, riding loaded, or simply prefer to keep your cadence high across the full 15.3 km, step up to a 34×34 for a little extra insurance on the steeper sections. Given that the climb only gains 498 m over its length, you won't need anything more aggressive — the priority is a gear that lets you sit and spin rather than muscle each pedal stroke.

Summary

Holzleiten Saddle rewards the patient. It's a long, forgiving category 3 test where a smart, even effort and a comfortable gear will carry you from 627 m to 1125 m without drama. Respect the distance, meter your effort against the 8.36% pitches, and let the 3.26% average do the rest.

Length: 15.3 km
Average gradient: 3.26%
Max gradient: 8.36%
Start: 627 m
Summit: 1125 m
Net gain: 498 m
Total ascent: 486 m
Category: 3