Cisa Pass

Overview

Cisa Pass is a long, measured haul rather than a wall. Over 21.9 km the road climbs from 164 m to a summit of 1034 m, a net gain of 870 m at an average gradient of 3.97%. That average tells the honest story: this is a Category 2 climb defined by its length, not by relentless steepness. The total ascent of 860 m sits just below the net figure, which means there is very little downhill or false-flat give-back on the way up — nearly every metre you climb, you keep.

For most riders the challenge here is patience and rhythm. Twenty-plus kilometres at a shallow average adds up to real time in the saddle, and the effort compounds quietly. The single spike to 11.3% is where the climb briefly shows its teeth, but it is the exception in an otherwise consistent ascent.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With an average of 3.97% and a maximum of 11.3%, the profile is uneven but never brutal. Long stretches sit at or near the average, letting you settle into a steady tempo, while short ramps push the number higher. The gap between the 3.97% mean and the 11.3% peak is roughly seven and a half points — enough to break your rhythm if you are caught in the wrong gear, but not enough to force you out of the saddle for long.

Because the total ascent (860 m) tracks so closely to the net gain (870 m), you should not expect recovery descents. Treat the whole 21.9 km as one continuous effort with a few sharper punctuations rather than a series of distinct pitches.

Pacing Notes

The smartest way to ride Cisa Pass is to anchor your effort to your sustainable power. Aim to hold a tempo just below your FTP for the bulk of the climb, keeping a small reserve for the 11.3% ramp so it does not spike you into the red. Twenty-two kilometres is long enough that going out too hard in the first third will cost you dearly in the final kilometres.

If you are unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your target wattage. On a climb this length, pacing discipline saves more time than raw fitness.

Gearing

The shallow average is deceptive — 21.9 km of continuous climbing tires the legs, and the 11.3% pitch demands a bailout gear when you are already deep into the effort. A compact setup is ideal here. A 34×32 will cover the climb comfortably for most trained riders, giving you a spinnable gear for the steeper sections without over-gearing the long tempo stretches.

If you tend to climb at a lower cadence, carry extra weight, or simply want insurance for the 11.3% ramp late in the climb, step up to a 34×34. The extra range keeps your legs turning and protects your pacing plan when fatigue sets in over the back half.

Summary

Cisa Pass rewards riders who respect its length rather than its gradient. Settle into a sustainable rhythm, keep something in reserve for the single steep ramp, and let the consistent 3.97% average carry you to the 1034 m summit.

Length: 21.9 km
Average gradient: 3.97%
Max gradient: 11.3%
Start: 164 m
Summit: 1034 m
Net gain: 870 m
Total ascent: 860 m
Category: 2