Oberricken Pass

Overview

Oberricken Pass is a category 3 climb in Switzerland, running 8.4 km from a base at 513 m to a summit at 905 m. That works out to 392 m of net elevation gain over the ascent, placing it firmly in the range where fitness and pacing matter more than raw survival. It is long enough to punish a bad start but short enough to attack once you know the terrain.

The number that shapes everything here is the gap between net gain and total ascent. You climb 392 m net, but the profile logs 437 m of total ascent — roughly 45 m of that is downhill or false-flat that you have to re-climb. On paper this looks like a steady 4.68% grind. In reality it undulates, and every metre you give back is a metre you pay for twice. Expect the effort to feel harder than the average gradient suggests.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The 4.68% average is a blend, not a constant. It hides both the flatter breathers and the ramps that spike to 10.7%. Riding to the average number is a trap — you will either overcook the flats or blow up on the steep pitches.

• Flatter and recovery sections where the grade eases well below 4.68% — soft-pedal, don't coast
• Repeated short climbs that account for the extra ascent beyond the net gain
• A steepest ramp hitting 10.7%, more than double the average — hold power here, don't sprint

Pacing Notes

On an undulating climb like this, chase even effort, not even speed. Even-speed pacing forces you to surge on the steep ramps and slack off on the flats — exactly backwards. Instead, hold a steady sustainable power output and let your speed rise and fall with the terrain. Ease slightly on the 10.7% ramp so you don't spike over threshold, then keep pressure on through the flatter recovery sections where it's tempting to freewheel. If you don't know your number, run the FTP estimator before you plan the effort.

Gearing

The 10.7% maximum dictates your setup, not the gentle average. Come with a compact (34-tooth inner) or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 gives you a spinning gear for the steepest ramp without grinding at low cadence. Check your chainset and cassette before the ride; the flats will feel easy, but you'll want that bailout gear when the grade doubles.

Summary

• Length: 8.4 km
• Average gradient: 4.68%
• Maximum gradient: 10.7%
• Net elevation gain: 392 m
• Total ascent: 437 m
• Category: 3

Oberricken Pass rewards riders who read the profile instead of the average. Pace by effort, gear for the 10.7% ramp, and account for the 45 m of ascent you won't see in the net gain.