Bumbálka is a climb of 4.6 kilometers (category 3). The climb finishes at 862 m above sea level. It is located in Makov, Žilinský kraj, Slovensko. The average gradient is 4.3% with a maximum of 7.5%. The climb has 194 meters of elevation gain.
Climb analysis: Bumbálka from Na Bařině is a Category 3 climb covering 4.6 km with 194 m of elevation gain, for an average gradient of 4.3%. The difficulty is concentrated in the first part: between km 0.0 and km 3.0, the gradient fluctuates between 5% and 6%, so you're committed to a steady effort right from the start. Between km 3.0 and km 4.0, the road becomes noticeably easier at 2%, before ramping back up to 4% between km 4.0 and km 4.5. The opening section is therefore the most demanding part, while the middle of the climb gives you a real breather.
Pacing tips:
1. Don't go out too hard. The 6% section from km 0.0 to 0.5 is where many riders try to force the pace too early, so aim for a consistent effort from the first pedal strokes.
2. Keep a smooth, steady cadence. From km 0.5 to km 3.0, where the gradient stays between 5% and 6%, choose a gear that lets you spin your legs without burning out.
3. Use the false flat to recover. The 2% section from km 3.0 to 4.0 is your chance to top up on fluids and carbs and get ready for the 4% ramp between km 4.0 and km 4.5.
The pass marks the border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and many riders stop there when crossing from one country to the other. The big car park serves as a rest stop, and one rider even spent the night there in a camper van.
On a clear day you can see far, all the way to the Lysá hora (“the bald mountain”). On a cloudy day, the peaks around stayed hidden. The car park is also a starting point for waymarked hikes, and the Beskydy ridge can be walked all the way to Kmínek or towards Javorníky. There's a memorial to a group of WWII partisans just nearby.
The buildings are the saddest part. Several people say the place used to be lively. The restaurant and guesthouse are closed, the chalet is empty, and there are no toilets nearby anymore. One rider thinks a small kiosk could at least operate in summer. There's a shop on the Beskydy road where people happily buy local products, such as frgály (traditional little cakes). Run-down sheds stand in the car park. One rider had fuel stolen overnight.
Traffic is the most frequently mentioned downside. The pass is a very busy road for cars, and the noise is always there. A Polish rider notes that the lorries go by without trouble and that you can ride there without worrying. As for the road itself, reports describe a paved surface leading to the Masaryk chalet, about 1.5 km away. On the gradients, they say almost nothing.
4.6 km • 194 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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