Radklassiker Chur-Arosa: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The Radklassiker Chur-Arosa is a direct hill climb from Chur railway square to Obersee in Arosa. The long ascent on the Schanfiggerstrasse rewards steady climbing more than tactical tricks, with the decisive final rise arriving when the altitude is already in your legs.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile above are from the most recent edition.
Course & Elevation
From Bahnhofplatz the course climbs out of Chur towards Maladers and into the Schanfigg valley. The road is the constant reference point: via Calfreisen, Castiel, Lüen, St. Peter, Peist and Langwies, the route continues uphill through the valley. The opening kilometres are already demanding, while the longest sustained climb comes in the lower third; later sections alternate shorter easing-off passages with further ramps.
The final section around Litzirüti becomes distinctly steeper again before the approach to Arosa and the finish at Obersee. This is a point-to-point race with no descent that offers real recovery. The surface is paved mountain road throughout, while the setting changes from Chur through the villages of Schanfigg to the high finish in Arosa.
Pacing Strategy
Do not pace the climb by the feeling of the start. The first long ramps out of Chur and beyond Maladers already cost a great deal, even though the finish is still far away; ride them below your final threshold and keep your cadence through the easier transitions. The middle sections through Schanfigg are for stabilising the effort, not for unnecessary surges.
The race-deciding section is the final climb from around Langwies, through Litzirüti and on towards Arosa. Riders who can still apply steady pressure there will gain time. The main trap is attacking the opening kilometres too hard: on a long, predominantly uphill course there is no later descent to undo that mistake.
Training plan for Radklassiker Chur-Arosa: 12-week build
For many age-group riders this course means around an hour or considerably more of continuous uphill work. The profile is unmistakably mountainous: power must remain aerobically stable for a long time, while several steep ramps and the final climb repeatedly push the effort towards threshold.
Train long intervals on a steady climb, supplemented by shorter repetitions on steeper ramps. Sessions in which you still climb under control after 40 to 60 minutes are especially useful, because that is when the section deciding the finish in Arosa begins. Also practise staying in rhythm through the less steep transitions.
The course climbs from Chur to the considerably higher setting of Arosa in September. Prepare with a long ride containing more than a thousand metres of climbing and practise fuelling so that the final ascent requires no improvisation. Bring clothing suitable for both the valley start and the cooler finish, since conditions at the mountain destination can differ noticeably from Chur.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 0.5 | 6.7 km | 8.2% | 19.3% | +545m | Cat. 2 |
| KM 7.3 | 0.4 km | 6.6% | 10.4% | +26m | — |
| KM 7.9 | 1.6 km | 3.2% | 8.4% | +51m | — |
| KM 10.3 | 1.3 km | 3.1% | 5.7% | +41m | — |
| KM 14.2 | 1.4 km | 4.6% | 10.7% | +66m | — |
| KM 17.2 | 0.8 km | 3.2% | 5.4% | +26m | — |
| KM 21.4 | 1.4 km | 4.2% | 6.2% | +57m | — |
| KM 24.0 | 3.5 km | 8.9% | 18.0% | +317m | Cat. 3 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
Course as GPX
Download the Radklassiker Chur-Arosa course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for 44. Radklassiker Chur-Arosa dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Radklassiker Chur-Arosa?
Radklassiker Chur-Arosa is 29.3 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Radklassiker Chur-Arosa have?
Radklassiker Chur-Arosa has around 1,191 m of elevation gain over 29.3 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Radklassiker Chur-Arosa?
Radklassiker Chur-Arosa is classified as Mountainous, averaging 42.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 20% of the route is flat, 54% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 19% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Radklassiker Chur-Arosa have?
The hardest climb of Radklassiker Chur-Arosa starts at kilometre 0.5, runs for 6.7 km at an average of 8.2% and gains 545 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Radklassiker Chur-Arosa a loop course?
No, Radklassiker Chur-Arosa is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Radklassiker Chur-Arosa course?
Yes. The Radklassiker Chur-Arosa course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Radklassiker Chur-Arosa?
Preparation for Radklassiker Chur-Arosa should account for 29.3 km, 1,191 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Radklassiker Chur-Arosa?
The pacing strategy for Radklassiker Chur-Arosa should reflect 29.3 km, 1,191 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does 44. Radklassiker Chur-Arosa next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on September 13, 2026.
Where does 44. Radklassiker Chur-Arosa take place?
44. Radklassiker Chur-Arosa takes place in Chur, Switzerland.
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