Flüelapass, CH

Ascent

820 hm

Distance Ascent

12.8  km

max. gradient

12 %

ø gradient

6.4 %

The Flüelapass links Davos with the Lower Engadine. From Davos it is 12.8 kilometres and 820 metres of climbing up to 2,383 metres. Because Davos itself is already high, the climb is short for such a high pass. It starts gently and gets harder in its second half.

The Flüelapass at a glance

The key figures from Davos: category HC, 12.8 km, 820 m of climbing, 6.4 % on average and 12 % at its steepest. The road leaves Davos and climbs to the pass at 2,383 m. On the far side it drops into the Lower Engadine to Susch. In our list the Flüela belongs to the Eastern Alps region.

The climb from Davos

The first kilometre is gentle, and up to about kilometre seven the gradient mostly sits between 5 and 6 %. Only one kilometre in this first half goes up to almost 8 %. It is a good section to find a steady rhythm. The height gain here comes quietly.

The second half is clearly harder: kilometres eight to twelve average close to 8 %, and the steepest kilometre of the climb sits right at the start of this block. After it the values stay between 6 and 8.5 %. Only the last kilometre before the pass eases off again to just under 5 %.

How it compares to our 100 climbs

At 2,383 m the Flüela has one of the highest finishing points in the list, only 16 climbs end higher. With 820 m of climbing it is one of the smaller climbs, 80 have more elevation gain. The 6.4 % average puts it in the lower middle, 63 climbs are steeper. The Vršič Pass has almost the same elevation gain at 818 m, but ends more than 770 metres lower, at 1,611 m.

Practical tips

The Flüela needs no special gearing, a compact chainset is enough for the 12 % peak. Keep something back for the second half, that is where the climb gets serious. At 2,383 m it is cold even in summer, so a warm layer for the descent is a must. Heading east you drop into the Lower Engadine to Susch, the way back to Davos is the same road.