Belkahve Pass

Overview

Belkahve Pass is a category-4 climb that stretches 5.9 km from a low start at 75 m to a summit of 282 m. That works out to 207 m of net elevation gain at an average gradient of 3.52%. On paper this is a gentle number, and the road never truly bares its teeth: the steepest pitch tops out at 6.66%, a figure most riders can push over without leaving the saddle. What defines Belkahve is not a wall but a rhythm — a long, rolling drag where the challenge is holding tempo rather than surviving a ramp.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 3.52% average and the 6.66% maximum tells you the road undulates rather than climbs uniformly. With a net gain of 207 m over 5.9 km but a total ascent of only 190 m recorded, the profile carries small dips and flatter breathers folded into the overall rise. In practice you get stretches near or below the average that let you recover, punctuated by short pinches drifting toward that 6.66% ceiling. None of these kicks last long enough to blow up your legs — but strung together across nearly six kilometres, they add up. Treat the climb as one sustained effort broken into gentle waves rather than a series of discrete obstacles.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient rarely spikes, Belkahve rewards a steady, aerobic pace over explosive surges. Aim to settle just below your threshold and hold it. Your FTP is the anchor here: on a 3.52% average, riding at a controlled tempo effort will carry you across all 5.9 km without cracking. Save a small reserve for the 6.66% pinches so they don't force a lactate spike you can't clear before the next rise. If you're unsure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target — pacing a rolling climb like this is far easier when you know your ceiling.

Gearing

The modest 3.52% average and 6.66% maximum mean you don't need ultra-low gearing to spin comfortably. A compact crank paired with a wide-range cassette is plenty. A 34×32 bottom gear will cover the steepest 6.66% sections for most riders while keeping your cadence high across the flatter drags. If you prefer to spin rather than grind, or you're carrying fatigue into the climb, a 34×34 gives you an extra margin of comfort on the pinches without ever feeling over-geared on the gentler stretches. Either setup suits a climb whose difficulty comes from duration, not steepness.

Summary

Belkahve Pass is a friendly category-4 effort: 5.9 km of rolling road that gains 207 m net and asks for patience rather than power. Pace it steadily, gear it sensibly, and the 6.66% kicks will pass without drama.

Length: 5.9 km
Average gradient: 3.52%
Max gradient: 6.66%
Start: 75 m
Summit: 282 m
Net gain: 207 m
Total ascent: 190 m
Category: 4