Sahlet el Qandil is a climb of 35.1 kilometers (hors catégorie). Sahlet el Qandil tops out at 2,249 m above sea level. It is located in شواغير, محافظة بعلبك الهرمل, لبنان. The average gradient is 5.2% with a maximum of 14.6%. The climb has 1842 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: This HC climb, 35.1 km long, is genuinely hard because of its uneven profile. The first half (KM 0-18) alternates between moderate sections (1-4%) and steeper stretches (6-8%), which lets you ease into it. The toughest part comes between KM 18 and 20, with a brutal sequence at 9% and 11%. Two short descents (KM 22-23 and KM 31-32) offer brief respite, but the final section (KM 27-29) has another short steep ramp at 8% before the finish.
Pacing advice:
1. Pace yourself section by section: Don't go too hard at the start. Use the sections below 5% (KM 1-3, 5-7, 20-22, 24-27) to recover and keep a steady cadence.
2. Prepare for the three "walls": Drop into an easier gear as you approach the three steepest sections (KM 18-20 at 9-11%, KM 27-29 at 7-8%) to save your legs and keep your heart rate under control.
3. Make the most of the descents: The short downhill sections (KM 22-23 and KM 31-32) are key. Ease off the pedal pressure for a moment to recover actively without losing all your momentum.
35.1 km • 1842 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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