Colla della Navonera

Overview

Colla della Navonera is a category 1 ascent that asks for patience before it asks for power. Over 17.7 km the road climbs from 450 m at the base to 1510 m at the summit, a net gain of 1060 m. At an average gradient of 5.99% it never looks brutal on paper, but 17.7 km is long enough that the sustained effort becomes the real challenge. The total measured ascent of 1023 m confirms this is an almost relentlessly upward road — there is very little rolling relief to hide behind once you commit.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number of 5.99% is a fair average, but it hides real variation. Somewhere on the climb the road kicks up to 15.57%, more than two and a half times the mean, so you should expect stretches that force you well below your steady rhythm. Because the net gain (1060 m) exceeds the total ascent (1023 m) only slightly, the profile is close to monotonic: you keep climbing, with the steepest ramps punctuating long sections that sit near or a little below the 5.99% average. Read the road ahead — when a wall appears, protect your legs rather than fighting the pitch out of the saddle.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing is everything. Aim to hold a steady effort just under your threshold for the bulk of the 17.7 km, then let the gradient — not your ego — dictate the hard moments. A useful benchmark is your FTP: riding the sustained sections a touch below it leaves headroom to absorb the 15.57% ramps without blowing up. If you are not sure of your number, run it through the FTP estimator before you plan your target power. With 1060 m of vertical to gain, going out too hard in the first few kilometres is the classic mistake here; the climb will still be there at the top.

Gearing

Given 17.7 km at 5.99% with ramps to 15.57%, gear for the pitches, not the average. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a 34×32 setup is a sensible baseline for strong climbers, giving you a low enough ratio to spin the steady sections and survive the steep bits seated. If you are carrying fatigue, tackling this at the end of a long day, or simply prefer a higher cadence, size up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket costs almost nothing and buys real insurance against the 15.57% ramps. On a climb of this length, cadence preservation beats raw strength every time.

Summary

Colla della Navonera rewards riders who respect the distance. It is not a short, savage wall but a long, honest category 1 grind — 17.7 km of near-constant climbing capped by ramps sharp enough to demand your lowest gear. Pace it patiently, gear it generously, and the 1060 m of gain becomes a satisfying day rather than a survival exercise.

Length: 17.7 km
Average gradient: 5.99%
Max gradient: 15.57%
Start: 450 m
Summit: 1510 m
Net gain: 1060 m
Total ascent: 1023 m
Category: 1