Bocchetta di Lemna

Overview

The Bocchetta di Lemna is not a climb you ease into. Over 7.8 km it hauls you from 201 m up to a summit of 1108 m, a net gain of 907 m, at a punishing average gradient of 11.67%. That average alone tells the story: there is almost nowhere to rest. When a climb sustains double-digit percentages for the better part of eight kilometres, it earns its HC (hors catégorie) rating without argument. This is the hardest classification there is, and the Lemna wears it honestly.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An 11.67% average is relentless, but averages hide the spikes. Here the road bites hardest at 20.76%, a max gradient that will have you out of the saddle and clawing for traction. With a net gain of 907 m spread across 7.8 km, the climb barely lets the gradient dip into "recovery" territory. Expect the profile to hover in the low-to-mid teens for long stretches, punctuated by ramps that surge toward that 20.76% ceiling. The gap between the 907 m net gain and the 844 m of total ascent is small, which confirms there are no meaningful descents to break the rhythm — this is a wall, top to bottom.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steep, pacing is survival. The single biggest mistake is attacking the lower slopes and detonating before the halfway mark. Anchor your effort to your FTP: on gradients touching 20.76%, holding wattage steady matters far more than holding speed, which will crawl regardless. If you do not know your current threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to this one — going in blind on an 11.67% average is a recipe for a walk. Aim to ride the first two-thirds slightly under threshold, then spend whatever remains on the steepest ramps near the top.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this climb. With a sustained 11.67% average and pitches at 20.76%, you want the widest range you can fit. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette is the sensible baseline for strong climbers, giving you a bailout ratio for the worst of the ramps. For most riders, though, a 34×34 is the smarter call — that extra sprocket keeps your cadence alive when the gradient spikes and spares your knees over 907 m of climbing. If your bike accepts an even larger cassette, the Lemna is exactly the road that justifies it.

Summary

The Bocchetta di Lemna is a concentrated dose of pure climbing: short at 7.8 km, but so steep that its 11.67% average and 20.76% max place it firmly in HC territory. Gear low, pace to your threshold, and respect the wall. Do it right and the 1108 m summit is a genuine trophy.

Length: 7.8 km
Average gradient: 11.67%
Max gradient: 20.76%
Start: 201 m
Summit: 1108 m
Net gain: 907 m
Total ascent: 844 m
Category: HC