Alto del Torno

Overview

Alto del Torno is a Category 2 climb that stretches 7.5 km from a low start point of just 56 m to a summit of 525 m. Over that distance it delivers a net elevation gain of 469 m, with a total ascent of 449 m once the minor undulations are smoothed out. The headline figure is an average gradient of 6.28% — steep enough to keep you honest for the full effort, but sustained rather than savage. That said, a maximum pitch of 11.97% lurks somewhere on the road, so this is not a climb you can simply set and forget.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 6.28% average and the 11.97% max tells you most of what you need to know about this climb's shape: it is uneven. Nearly six percentage points separate the mean from the peak, which means the ascent trades gentler ramps for sharper kickers rather than holding a single steady angle. Expect stretches that sit comfortably below the average, offset by ramps that punch well into double digits. The difference between the 469 m net gain and the 449 m total ascent — a modest 20 m — confirms the road climbs almost relentlessly, with very little downhill or flat to break rhythm. In practical terms, you are always going up, but the steepness keeps shifting under your wheels across all 7.5 km.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this uneven, pacing to a target power beats pacing to feel. Anchor your effort to your FTP and try to hold a steady output through the shallower sections rather than surging, so you have headroom left when the gradient bites toward that 11.97% maximum. Because the average is 6.28%, a rider near threshold will spend the better part of the 7.5 km in a sustained tempo-to-threshold zone — long enough that overcooking the early ramps will cost you dearly higher up. If you are unsure of your current threshold number, run the FTP estimator before your attempt and set realistic wattage bands for the flatter and steeper thirds of the climb. Ride the steep pitches slightly under your ceiling and let the easier gradients be your recovery.

Gearing

With a max of 11.97% and 469 m to gain, gearing generously is the smart play. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a 34×32 cassette will cover most riders comfortably on the sustained 6.28% average and still give you a spinning option on the harder ramps. If you climb light on power, prefer a high cadence, or expect fatigue over the full 7.5 km, step up to 34×34 for extra insurance on the steepest kicks. Either way, keep something in reserve so you can keep the cranks turning smoothly rather than grinding through the double-digit pitches.

Summary

Alto del Torno rewards patience: a Category 2 climb of 7.5 km at 6.28% average, with an 11.97% sting, hauling you from 56 m to 525 m. Pace to power, gear generously, and let the shallower sections do the recovering.

Length: 7.5 km
Average gradient: 6.28%
Max gradient: 11.97%
Start: 56 m
Summit: 525 m
Net gain: 469 m
Total ascent: 449 m
Category: 2