- Ascent
- 1370 hm
- Distance Ascent
- 17.6 km
- max. gradient
- 17 %
- ø gradient
- 7.8 %
The Grosse Scheidegg from Meiringen is an HC climb of 17.6 km with 1,370 m of elevation gain at an average of 7.8 %, peaking at 17 %. The road climbs out of the Haslital to 1,962 m and drops on the far side to Grindelwald. Two steep blocks are split by a few almost flat kilometres in the middle.
The Grosse Scheidegg links the Haslital with Grindelwald. From Meiringen it is 17.6 kilometres and 1,370 metres of climbing up to 1,962 metres. At 7.8 % on average it is one of the steeper climbs in our list. The profile consists of two steep blocks with a flat middle section in between.
The Grosse Scheidegg at a glance
The key figures from Meiringen: category HC, 17.6 km, 1,370 m of climbing, 7.8 % on average and 17 % at its steepest. The road leaves Meiringen in the Haslital and climbs to the pass at 1,962 m. On the far side it drops down to Grindelwald. In our list the Grosse Scheidegg belongs to the Western Alps region.
The climb from Meiringen
After an almost flat first kilometre the climb starts abruptly: kilometres two to eight average close to 10 %, with two kilometres well above 12 %. This is the hardest part of the whole climb. Then comes a clear break: two almost flat kilometres, followed by one steeper and one flat one again. Use this section to recover.
The last six kilometres are the second steep block and average close to 9 %. Four kilometres in a row sit between 9.5 and just under 11 %. Only the last two kilometres ease off a little, the very last to around 5 %. After the flat middle section this finish demands concentration once more.
How it compares to our 100 climbs
At 7.8 % the Grosse Scheidegg is in the front third of the list, only 23 climbs are steeper on average. With 1,370 m of climbing it is also one of the bigger ones, 28 have more. The Col du Galibier is the same length at 17.6 km, but has 1,220 m of climbing at 6.9 %. The Grosse Scheidegg is therefore clearly steeper, and with 17 % it also has the higher peak.
Practical tips
For the steep lower block a compact gearing with a large sprocket is strongly recommended. Start calmly, as the first steep kilometres come straight away. Use the flat middle section to eat and drink before the second block. At 1,962 m it is noticeably cooler than in Meiringen, so bring a jacket for the descent to Grindelwald or back to Meiringen.
