Colla di Magnone

Overview

Colla di Magnone is a compact but honest category-2 climb that packs a serious punch into a short distance. Over just 4.6 km it lifts you from a near-sea-level start of 10 m to a summit of 320 m, banking 310 m of net elevation gain. The rolling profile trims that slightly, with 294 m of measured total ascent along the way. The headline number is an average gradient of 6.69%, which already tells you this is a climb that never really lets you settle — and with pitches reaching 12.51%, there are moments that will have you out of the saddle and grinding.

At under five kilometres, this is the kind of climb you can attack rather than survive. But respect the arithmetic: 310 m of vertical over 4.6 km is a steep ratio, and the effort compresses everything into a punchy, sustained burn.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining tension of Colla di Magnone is the gap between its 6.69% average and its 12.51% maximum. That spread of nearly six points means the climb is not evenly graded — the average is inflated in places by ramps that bite well into double digits. Expect the road to pulse: stretches near the mean where you can hold rhythm, punctuated by steeper kicks that force a hard surge.

Because the total ascent of 294 m sits just below the net gain of 310 m, the climb is almost relentlessly upward with only the smallest reprieves. There is very little false flat or descent to recover on. The steepest pitches, approaching 12.51%, are where races are won and lost here — brief, but sharp enough to snap a group apart if you drift off the wheel.

Pacing Notes

Short, steep climbs like this reward riders who can push just above threshold without blowing up. The key is holding an effort anchored to your FTP: on the ramps toward 12.51% you will inevitably spike over it, so the discipline is easing back on the shallower sections near 6.69% to keep your average power sustainable across the full 4.6 km.

If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan an attempt. With 310 m of climbing to cover, a rider who paces the first half conservatively and saves matches for the steep pitches will beat one who empties the tank early. Aim to arrive at the 320 m summit having spent your final effort in the last, hardest ramp — not in the opening kilometre.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 6.69% with spikes to 12.51%, gearing is about surviving the steep ramps without cadence collapse. A compact 34-tooth inner ring is the starting point. Pair it with a 34×32 for most riders — that gives enough range to spin the 6.69% sections and just about hold the steepest pitches. If you favour a higher cadence, tip toward power on shorter efforts, or simply want insurance for the 12.51% wall, step up to a 34×34. The extra range on a 34×34 keeps your legs turning rather than mashing when the road tips vertical near the top.

Summary

Colla di Magnone is a short, sharp category-2 test: 4.6 km of concentrated climbing that never gives you room to coast. With a 6.69% average, teeth reaching 12.51%, and 310 m of net gain over its length, it rewards riders who can pace threshold efforts and shift gears fast when the road bites.

Length: 4.6 km
Average gradient: 6.69%
Max gradient: 12.51%
Start: 10 m
Summit: 320 m
Net gain: 310 m
Total ascent: 294 m
Category: 2