Pushkin pass is a climb of 16.6 kilometers (category 1). The climb finishes at 2,036 m above sea level. It is located in Gyulagarak, Լոռու մարզ, Հայաստան. The average gradient is 4.1% with a maximum of 9.6%. The climb has 675 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: The Pushkin Pass from Gyulagarak covers 16.6 km for 675 m of elevation gain, at an average gradient of 4.1%. It's a steady first-category climb rather than an extreme pass. The first three kilometres are rolling (1 to 2%), but the real work starts at km 4 with 6% from km 4 to 6, then 5% until km 11. The middle section, with more than 10 km between 4 and 6% and hardly any respite, is the most demanding part.
Tips for pacing yourself:
1. Save your legs at the start. Use the first three kilometres at 1 or 2% to find your rhythm without burning your matches.
2. Keep a steady cadence on the 6% section. Between km 4 and 6, stay in the saddle if you can and keep your cadence smooth, without surges or sudden gear changes.
3. Manage the final part. Between km 7 and 16, remember to drink and eat regularly, then save enough in the tank for the last stretch at 3% (km 16 to 16.6).
The climb can be tackled by two roads. The main one goes through a tunnel. The old switchback road, a narrow mountain lane, leads straight to the summit. Cars do use it, but slowly, so take your time.
Once at the top, there's a weather station and a few wind turbines. One rider recommends going for a short walk on the neighbouring hills, which he found really beautiful. Another rider couldn't find the Pushkin monument and thinks he rode right past it without seeing it.
The views and the scenery come up in several reports. Those who've ridden it describe it as superb, with nothing more to add.
On the downside, one rider mentions a traffic jam on the road, without saying where or why. It's also worth knowing that one of the most recent riders over the unpaved section of the climb says the road was still under construction at the time.
16.6 km • 675 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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