Col Di Vamea

Overview

Col Di Vamea is the kind of climb that redraws your definition of "long." At 23.3 km with an average gradient of 7.09%, it is rated HC — hors catégorie, the hardest classification on the scale, sitting above categories 1, 2, 3, and 4. From a start elevation of 558 m it grinds all the way to a summit at 2210 m, delivering 1652 m of net elevation gain. The total ascent of 1626 m confirms this is a near-relentless upward push rather than a rolling profile that gives back what it takes. Nothing here is casual: an average of 7.09% held for over 23 km is a sustained, honest effort that will test both your legs and your patience.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The signature of Col Di Vamea is duration at pitch. Averaging 7.09% across 23.3 km means the road rarely relents into recovery. With a net gain of 1652 m and a total ascent of 1626 m, only 26 m of the vertical is ever surrendered to descent or flat — the profile climbs almost the entire way. That tiny gap between net gain and total ascent tells you there are no meaningful downhill breathers to reset your rhythm. From 558 m at the base to 2210 m at the top, you gain altitude steadily and thin air becomes a factor in the final kilometres, where every percentage point feels heavier than it did lower down.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing is everything. The 7.09% average is your reference point, but the smart move is to ride to power rather than gradient. Anchor your effort to a percentage of your FTP and hold it disciplined from the bottom — going too deep in the first few kilometres of a 23.3 km ascent is a mistake you cannot claw back before 2210 m. If you don't know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. As a rule, most riders should settle just below threshold for the opening two-thirds and only spend what's left once the summit feels within reach.

Gearing

Bring climbing gears. For 23.3 km at 7.09% topping out at 2210 m, a compact setup is the minimum sensible choice. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up at a workable cadence, but on a sustained HC effort of this length, a 34×34 is the wiser insurance — the extra range keeps your cadence high and your legs fresher deep into the climb where fatigue and altitude stack up. If you tend to grind rather than spin, err toward the 34×34; you will thank yourself in the final kilometres.

Summary

Col Di Vamea is a genuine HC test: long, steady, and unforgiving, with 1652 m of net vertical between its 558 m base and 2210 m summit. Pace it to power, gear it generously, and respect the distance.

Length: 23.3 km
Average gradient: 7.09%
Max gradient: n/a
Start: 558 m
Summit: 2210 m
Net gain: 1652 m
Total ascent: 1626 m
Category: HC