Bocchetta di Foxi

Overview

Bocchetta di Foxi is a genuine hors catégorie test, the kind of ascent that rewards patience and punishes bravado. Over 18.4 km the road lifts you from a valley floor at 211 m to a summit at 1720 m, a net gain of 1509 m. The average gradient of 8.21% tells only part of the story: this is a long, sustained effort where the total ascent of 1488 m accumulates almost without relief. There is no gentle warm-up here and no false-flat coasting to recover — the climb asks for a steady, committed rhythm from the first pedal stroke to the last.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Bocchetta di Foxi is consistency stacked on top of severity. An 8.21% average over 18.4 km means the road rarely dips below single-digit gradients, and the 17.55% maximum marks the pitches that force you out of the saddle whether you want to be there or not. The gap between the 8.21% average and that 17.55% max shows how much sting the steep ramps carry above the baseline. Expect the hardest sections to arrive as sharp kicks that break your cadence, followed by stretches that hover near the average and let you reset. With 1509 m of net elevation to swallow, the climb never truly eases — it simply alternates between hard and harder.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats ambition. Anchor your effort to your FTP and resist the urge to chase the early gradient. Riding just below threshold for the bulk of the 18.4 km leaves headroom for the 17.55% ramps, where power spikes are unavoidable. If you do not know your threshold yet, the FTP estimator will give you a working number to pace against. The goal across all 1488 m of ascent is to keep your effort even — surging on the steep pitches and soft-pedalling the shallower ones wastes energy you will want near the 1720 m summit.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this climb. A 17.55% maximum on tired legs after more than a thousand metres of climbing demands a wide range at the back. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette is the sensible minimum for strong riders, giving you a bailout ratio for the worst ramps. Most climbers tackling an HC ascent with an 8.21% average will be happier still on a 34×34, which buys enough spin to protect your knees and your composure over the full 18.4 km. Choose the easier option if you are unsure — you will never regret the extra gear here.

Summary

Bocchetta di Foxi is a complete HC climb: long, steep, and unforgiving, with a summit that feels earned. Pace it with respect, gear it generously, and let the numbers do the intimidating.

Length: 18.4 km
Average gradient: 8.21%
Max gradient: 17.55%
Start: 211 m
Summit: 1720 m
Net gain: 1509 m
Total ascent: 1488 m
Category: HC