On average, nearly ten percent over ten kilometers of climbing, with no less than twenty-one hairpin bends. And half of it is on gravel. Adventurers, take note! The climb to the Gafadura Hütte is definitely one for your bucket list. But alongside this climb, there’s also a lesser-known wall that you absolutely have to try. Discover these two beautiful climbs above the village of Schaan in Liechtenstein.
More information about the climb to Oberplanken can be found at
https://climbfinder.com/en/climbs/oberplanken-schaan
or about the climb to the Gafadura Hütte at
https://climbfinder.com/en/climbs/gafadura-hutte
In this video:
0:00 Climb intro
0:52 Climb profiles
1:45 The start of the climb up to Planken
2:35 The turn-off for the Gafadura Hütte route
3:50 The turn-off for the Oberplanken route
4:47 Conclusion of both climbs
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on average nearly 10% over 10 km of climbing with no less than 21 hairpin bends and half of it is on gravel adventurers take note the climb to the Gaffadura Huta is definitely one for your bucket list but alongside this climb there’s also a lesserknown wall that you absolutely have to try discover these two beautiful clims above the village of Sha in Likenstein it’s a shame that many cyclists don’t immediately think of Likenstein when planning a cycling holiday this small alpine country tucked between Austria and Switzerland is actually a hidden cycling paradise from the flat valley steep mountain roads wind upwards everywhere the contrast between the nearly flat valley and the steep slopes is impressive it’s the perfect place to work on your climbing skills and that can be done perfectly above the village of Sha from Shan you reach the village of Planken via a beautiful climb after that you have two options will you go for the stunning alpine meadows though you’ll have to work hard for it or will you choose a horse category gravel road that climbs steeply with the Gaffadura Hutter as your reward In this video we’ll explore both climbs the climb to the Gaffadura Hutter is a serious horse category you feel it not only because of the steepness but also due to the gravel surface it’s doable on a racing bike but some good bike handling skills are definitely recommended and that’s not all beside this adventurous gravel climb lies a real insider tip this one is for those who love steep walls fortunately this time it’s paved and that’s a good thing because the gradient here approaches 20% in short you can completely exhaust yourself above Sha from Sha you turn off the main road and onto Plank Nostrasa the transition from the urban area to the alpine meadows is abrupt soon you only hear cowbells the asphalt is good and the shaded road with beautiful curves helps you find your rhythm like most roads in Leenstein it climbs steeply here long stretches of 10 to 11% make the climb tough when you enter the beautiful village of Planken your legs thankfully get a bit of rest the gradient eases to around 6 to 7% take advantage of that moment because you’re far from done from the hairpin bend at the far end of the village the real challenge begins and then comes the moment of choice do you take the gravel route or the wall First we’ll explore the gravel option to the Gaffadura Huta at first you ride on good asphalt but as soon as you follow the road turning toward Gaffadura the gravel begins at the start the gravel road is surprisingly good better than some paved roads but once you pass the parking lot and reach a small waterfall it gets trickier the surface worsens and the climb steepens this is where the delicate balance between control and power begins push too hard and your rear wheel will slip you’ll also need to zigzag across the road regularly to find the best surface especially in the corners you have to stay alert the gravel is sometimes loose or soft and meanwhile the gradient keeps rising after a series of hairpin bends you reach the alpine meadow where the hut stands but even here you’re not quite there yet the road stays steep though the surface improves a bit just a few more hairpin bends now with an amazing view and then you’re there the reward a cozy mountain hut where you can enjoy some food and drinks not in the mood for gravel or want more climbing after the Gaffadura Huta Then the climb to Ober Planken is a real insider tip just before the gravel starts turn right at the hairpin bend and then you’re straight into it a super steep wall interrupted by drainage channels you climb along a steep mountain side and it only gets steeper reaching almost 20% afterwards it thankfully eases up a bit but there’s no real rest to be had you ride through an idyllic mountain landscape with alpine huts flower-filled meadows and incredible views over Lienstein and Switzerland to be honest if you hadn’t been worn out by the steep climb just before you’d probably enjoy this a lot more but it’s definitely a picture perfect scene the climb has a clear end right where the road turns unpaved that’s where your adventure stops from the top it’s pure enjoyment of the meadows you just rode through if you’re near Lienstein as a gravel enthusiast you really have to climb to the Gadura Huta but the climb to Ober Planken is also one for the books let us know in the comments which one you prefer and before you go make sure your mountain gear is ready because we’ve learned from experience almost every road in Leenstein is steep