“Three Step Sisters” Route Details (Watopia)
The third in a series of “Three Sisters” Watopia routes (see Three Sisters and Three Little Sisters), Three Step Sisters takes us on a progressive journey over three climbs the other two routes don’t touch: the Jarvis KOM Reverse, the base of the Epic KOM Reverse, and The Grade.
This was added to the game as an event-only route in early December 2025, for use in Zwift Games 2026. If Zwift sticks to recent patterns, this route will become free-rideable soon after that series ends.
Route Basics
Length: 37.9 km (23.5 miles)
Elevation: 586m (1,923′)
+0.2km (0.1 miles) lead-in
Map: Watopia
ZIMetrics
Rating: 22.1/100 🛈
Time Estimates 🛈
4 W/kg: 62 minutes
3 W/kg: 69 minutes
2 W/kg: 88 minutes
Start & Finish
Begins at the downtown Watopia start pens, and finishes atop The Grade KOM.
Format: Point-to-Point
Ride Achievement Badge: 755 XP
Run Achievement Badge: none
Strava Segments
Route Description
Route profile by ZwiftHub – the place to plan and track your route achievements!
Beginning in downtown Watopia, we’ll ride through the lap arch and head toward the Volcano, turning right onto the roads of the Volcano Circuit CCW. But you’ll only make it halfway around the circuit before making a right, then a quick left, to get onto the Jarvis reverse loop.
This takes us through the Jarvis Sprint Reverse, then quickly up our first climb of the day, the Jarvis KOM Reverse, which finishes at the ride-thru tree. Once you finish the climb, catch your breath as you descend past the Banjo Cafe and through the Jarvis lap banner, then turn left and a quick right to begin making your way around the Volcano Circuit CCW once again.
You’ll head across the land bridge, though, then up the Dirty Sorpressa, turning right at the top and another right to head down the twisty, slight descent to the Marina. Stay straight at the windmills to continue onto the dock and past the Spruce Goose, then you’ll begin the second climb of the day, up the first section of the Epic KOM Reverse.
Once across the bridge, this climb ends as you turn left to take the Epic KOM cutoff road. This takes you across to the Epic KOM forward road, but you’ll turn left to head downhill across the bridge before turning right to for a short climb up toward Titans Grove.
Up through the edge of Titans Grove, you’ll stay right to descend into Saddle Springs and onto the LAX roundabout, taking the first right to get onto Watopia’s Southern Coast road.
You’ll stay on this road for a good stretch, hitting the Woodland and Sasquatch Sprints before turning right to head up the final (and largest) climb of the day: The Grade KOM! Give it all you’ve got… the route ends at the KOM arch at the top.
Note: Zwift will estimate your FTP based on your power and time up this KOM segment, and display this number on the sign just past the KOM arch:
Stage 5 for the Games. The Grade is hard enough on its own.
I wouldn’t call this stage epic. It’s a long warmup until the race up the grade. Disappointing compared to the last two years.
I think it would have been interesting if they had lengthened the route by sending us up and around the fuego flats after the Reverse Epic KOM bypass. That would have made the route properly epic in length and given bigger riders more time to put some burn on the lighter riders (who will otherwise dominate the Grade with their superior W/kg).
At least this year heavier riders can stick with the pack until the Grade if they put in a big effort on the Reverse Epic KOM Bypass. Last year’s route destroyed the pack with the mid-race climbs.
Ok, this one is pretty funny. Much more creative than most of the routes added.
Looks like a nice de-facto After Party route.
That could have been included in the title to properly set expectations. 😋
To paraphrase Morrissey, some little sisters are bigger than other little sisters. And some little sisters’ step sisters are bigger than other little sisters’ step sisters. 😉
Firm believer Zwift should drop the “event only”. Make them all rideable!
How can Zwift give you an FTP after The Grade, when I’ve already done about 50 minutes of racing BEFORE I hit the start of The Grade? According to my power curve, my best power after 60 minutes is about 15% lower than my current (20 minute) FPT.
nice route. will start w/ the classic, leave Jarvis, & complete as free-ride.
Hello everyone. Seeking advice on what type of frame and wheel set to use on this route. I’m only a level 21 so I don’t have a lot of options in my garage.
I’d go with the Canyon Aeroad 2024 and Rovale CLX64 wheels at your level. Hopefully your Aeroad is fully upgraded.
Climbing bike? or Aero bike?
Since the climb that hurts is the last 3.52 km I would go with aero.
Use ZwifterBikes for an idea. Level21 is not that high. But I would go for a frame that is most upgraded and if possible an allrounder. Wheelchoice is up to you if you have the more aero options or more climbing ones. I agree with James to have some aeroness because most of the route is flat or very draftable. Only the Grade is more than grinding for a longer period of time.
How appropriate that the route name abbreviates to “TSS”.