Passwang & Belchenpass round trip

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Olten, Solothurn, Switzerland (CH)

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Route Overview

Patricio Rosas

Pure and absolute road-cycling

60 mi.

8,538 ft.

A challenging round trip of 97 km with more than 2500 m of ascent that will take you from little towns to the middle of the countryside of Switzerland.

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Route Details

# In a few words

* **Extension**			: 97 km (ca.)
* **Elevation gain**	: 2600 m (ca.)
* **Climbs**			: 9 peaks
* **Hors catégorie**	: 2, 3 & 4
* **Wheels type**		: road cycling
* **Legs required**		: tough
* **Start**				: Olten train station
* **Finish**			: Olten train station
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# Overview
The ride starts and ends at the @poi[train station of Olten](7809304) and it goes through the cantons of Solothurn and Basel-Land. It is not an easy one, so be sure that you have accumulated enough kilometres in your legs to push those pedals. You will also find a series of climbs that will make the trip a bit more challenging. The road is 100% paved and spring and summer are the best seasons to ride but as long as the passes are open you could also try it in autumn or even winter, though the road gets a bit more slippery and the weather is just freezing cold.
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# Route
Starting in @point[Olten](d,5.74), you will have 10 km to warm up before you face the first two climbs, both of which go above 800 m, but they are quite friendly with a couple of segments to have fun.

After these, you will face @slice[Passwang Pass](d,28326.57,31259.01), which is definitely one of the two big challenges of this route, with an average gradient of 9% and a maximum of 17%. Just 200 m before the pass you will find a really nice @poi[restaurant](7780710) to take a break and to take a nice picture of the valley.

Once that you have recovered some energy you will cross the pass through a 200 m @photo[tunnel](3977790) and start a @slice[12 km descent](d,31330.45,44359.15) in the direction of @point[Büsserach](d,44357.88), where you share the road with cars, so stay focused.

The @slice[middle section of the route](d,44359.15,67848.85) goes through calm country roads and easy-going climbs. After about 24 km you will arrive in @point[Oberdorf](d,68133.65) where you could take another break. You will find plenty of places to buy food, take a coffee or fill your bottle with water.

Oberdorf is the beginning of the final part, and at this point maybe the most demanding @slice[section](d,67848.85,89843.34) of the route. Up to @point[Langenbruck](d,73836.32), you will deal with a smooth and relatively fast climb, perfect to take a break if you need before the last three climbs.

@slice[Chilchzimmersattel](d,75248.94,78630.77) is the last big mountain, climbing to almost 1000 m with an average gradient of 8% and a maximum of 15%.

The last two climbs are short but tough. With average gradients of ca. 10%, they have maximum gradients of @slice[22%](d,83928.44,85913.01) and @slice[18%](d,88153.69,89810.95), respectively. At this moment you have cycled already 84 km so these two small climbs really feel like you are going against a wall.

However, after these two little giants, the rest is just going @slice[downhill](d,89929.16,97225.43) back to Olten.
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# Picture time
**There are plenty of places to take beautiful pictures but keep an eye on these:**
1. Top of Passwang pass, from the @poi[restaurant](7780710).
2. @poi[Burg Thierstein Castle](7804630), open from July to October, last Sunday of each month between 11:30 and 17h. 
3. @poi[Schönthal Monastery](7780725).
4. On top of @poi[Chilchzimmersattel](7780715), you will find a parking place and a stair that goes into the forest on top of the Belchenflue. About 1 km up you will find a fantastic viewpoint.
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# Caution zones
1. There are currently construction works on the @slice[route](d,31942.26,33076.69) after Passwang pass, so you will have a traffic light. 
2. They are also working on the route on this @slice[section](d,66267.68,67744.83), you will have another traffic light. 
3. Caution on this @slice[downhill](d,55493.37,56979.45) because the pavement is not in the best state, with some holes and pebbles.
4. Works on this @slice[downhill](d,80070.85,81947.63) but open Saturdays and Sundays. 
5. If you go during the week and the route is closed, just after @poi[Chilchzimmersattel](7780715) you can take a shortcut to Olten at this @point[point](d,79378.5). Go in the direction of [Restaurant Kallhof](http://bit.ly/2NW3GkJ) and you will reconnect with the route. 
3. For those that know more or less this route, take into account that there are currently works from this @point[point](d,34680.14) up to Nunningen. The way is closed to all vehicles at the moment.

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# Cycling path
**The route is a mix in terms of cycling paths.**   
At some moments you will have your own and separated path next to the cars and at some moments you will have to share the road with them. In others, you will be in the middle of the countryside and your only concern will be the route. A safe route with many peaceful roads. Check the pictures to see the differences in the type of roads that you will find.  
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# Cycling cap tips
1. If you ride this route in summer be sure to have some repellent against horseflies. As you will find yourself crossing a couple of farms, be ready for a small battle if not. In the same way, be sure to have some sunscreen with you.
2. With many climbs, you also have many downhills so keep an eye on those curves because some of them can be a bit tricky to take. Better to break the speed record uphill.
3. You will find plenty of places to refill your bottles and buy food but better if you take plenty with you from the beginning. Better to have leftovers than to starve in the middle of the mountain.
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Passwang & Belchenpass round trip

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