From La Punt (5,535 ft / 1,687 m) to the Albula Pass (7,585 ft / 2,312 m) it is 5.7 miles (9.1 km) at an average of 6.9% with 2,073 ft (632 m) of climbing, according to CyclingCols. Climbfinder and quäldich also measure 9.1 km, with 628 and 654 m of gain; salite.ch gives 9.5 km and 629 m. Because it starts at almost 5,600 ft (1,700 m), it is a short climb, but all of it at altitude.
What the climb is like
- Leaving La Punt. The road leaves the floor of the Engadine and climbs straight up the slope in hairpins (Climbfinder counts 10). This is the steepest part: CyclingCols counts 2.1 miles (3.4 km) above 10% in 100 m segments, and its hardest kilometer averages 10.5%.
- Middle and upper sections. Past the forest, the road enters a high valley of pasture and rock and climbs more gently to the pass.
The sources disagree on the maximum grade (CyclingCols gives 12% and Climbfinder 15.6% over 100 m): expect a short, very steep pitch or two in the first half.
Its history
The Albula links the Engadine with the Albula valley and Tiefencastel. In cycling it is a sad place: on stage 5 of the 2023 Tour de Suisse, Gino Mäder crashed on the Albula descent and died. In June 2025, before stage 5 of that year’s race, a sculpture in his memory was unveiled at the pass with his family, his teammates and the race organizers.
When to go, water and traffic
It is a high pass that closes in winter; the season runs from June to September. Traffic is moderate. Fill your bottles in La Punt, because there are few options on the way up; at the pass there is a hospice with a restaurant.
What gearing to use
At 3 W/kg (watts per kilogram of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg), you ride about 7.6 mph (12.3 km/h) on 7%; with a 34x28 that is a cadence of about 80 rpm. For the opening pitches above 10%, a 34x30 works better. Remember that you put out a little less power above 6,500 ft (2,000 m). Compare setups in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Start easy: the hardest part comes first.
- If you cross the pass, descend toward Bergün with great care: it is a fast, technical descent.
- Bring a wind jacket: it is usually windy at the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb the Albula Pass from La Punt?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 44 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 52 min at 2.5 W/kg and 34 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
Which side of the Albula Pass is harder?
The west side is much longer: from Filisur it is about 13.7 miles (22 km) with more than 4,250 ft (1,300 m) of climbing, and from Tiefencastel more than 18.6 miles (30 km). From La Punt it is only 5.7 miles (9.1 km), but steeper.
What is the Gino Mäder memorial on the Albula Pass?
A sculpture unveiled in June 2025. The Swiss rider died after crashing on the Albula descent on stage 5 of the 2023 Tour de Suisse.