Bocca del Creer

Overview

Bocca del Creer is a full-blown hors catégorie ascent, and the numbers make no attempt to hide it. Over 18.8 km the road climbs from a valley floor at 201 m to a summit at 1615 m, a net gain of 1414 m. Fold in the smaller dips and drags along the way and the total ascent rises to 1428 m. The average gradient of 7.52% is relentless rather than merely steep — sustained over nearly nineteen kilometres, that mean slope is what earns the HC label, harder than a Category 1 and the toughest rating on offer.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Think of this climb in terms of its shape rather than its scenery. A 7.52% average across 18.8 km means there is almost nowhere to hide: the road rarely flattens enough to spin the legs loose. The 14.98% maximum is the sting in the tail of that average — roughly double the mean gradient, it marks the pitches where the front wheel feels light and cadence collapses. Because the total ascent (1428 m) sits only 14 m above the net gain (1414 m), the profile is overwhelmingly one-directional: you go up, and you keep going up. There is no rolling relief to recover on, so every steep section is paid for with fatigue you carry to the summit.

Pacing Notes

The single biggest mistake on a climb this long is starting above your sustainable ceiling. Anchor your effort to your FTP and treat the early kilometres as a deliberate underspend — the 14.98% ramps later in the climb will demand a surge, and you want matches left to burn. Riding at or just below threshold for the full 18.8 km is a huge ask, so aim for a percentage of FTP you can genuinely hold for the better part of an hour. If you are unsure what that number is, the FTP estimator will give you a realistic starting point to plan around. On the steepest pitches, let cadence fall and hold power steady rather than fighting to keep your legs spinning fast.

Gearing

Gear for the average, then check it against the maximum. At 7.52% for 18.8 km, most riders will want easier ratios than instinct suggests, because the fatigue compounds. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is a sensible baseline for strong climbers. If you weigh more, ride at a lower FTP, or simply want to protect your cadence over the full 1414 m of climbing, drop to a 34×34. That extra sprocket is cheap insurance against the 14.98% ramps grinding you to a walking pace.

Summary

Bocca del Creer is a climb that rewards patience and punishes ambition. Pace it to your threshold, gear it generously, and respect the length — 18.8 km at 7.52% is a long time to stay honest.

Length: 18.8 km
Average gradient: 7.52%
Max gradient: 14.98%
Start: 201 m
Summit: 1615 m
Net gain: 1414 m
Total ascent: 1428 m
Category: HC