Colle della Cremosina

Overview

Colle della Cremosina is a short, approachable category 4 climb in Italy that rewards rhythm over raw power. Over just 5.3 km the road lifts you from 399 m to 594 m, a net gain of 195 m at an average gradient of 3.65%. That average tells you most of the story: this is a climb you can ride at tempo rather than survival pace. The steepest ramp tops out at 7.02%, so there is enough bite to demand attention, but nothing here forces you out of the saddle for long. With a total ascent of 176 m recorded across the profile, the road trends steadily upward without dramatic dips, making it an honest, measurable effort from bottom to top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape of Cremosina is defined by the gap between its 3.65% average and its 7.02% maximum. That spread is modest, which means the climb never lurches wildly. Instead, expect a rolling upward drift punctuated by short firmer sections where the road pushes toward that 7.02% ceiling. Because the net gain of 195 m is slightly larger than the 176 m total ascent, the profile leans consistently in one direction with very little downhill relief to break the effort. Practically, that translates to a climb you can read in advance: settle into the average early, and treat the steeper pitches as brief accelerations rather than crises. The 5.3 km length is short enough that you always have the summit within reach.

Pacing Notes

For a climb this length and gradient, pacing is about restraint rather than damage limitation. Aim to ride the bulk of Cremosina just below or around your FTP, letting the steeper ramps toward 7.02% nudge you briefly above threshold before you settle back to the 3.65% average. If you don't know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you go, so you have a power target instead of a guess. Because the whole climb is only 5.3 km, going out too hard costs you little in absolute time but plenty in comfort — a smooth, even effort will feel far better and often be faster. Save any real surge for the final stretch toward 594 m, where you know exactly how much road remains.

Gearing

Cremosina does not demand exotic gearing. A standard compact setup handles the 3.65% average and 7.02% max comfortably for most riders. A 34×32 will let you spin the steeper ramps without grinding, keeping your cadence high across the full 5.3 km. If you carry extra fatigue, climb on tired legs, or simply prefer to sit and spin, a 34×34 gives you a touch more headroom on the firmer pitches while still being far more range than a category 4 climb strictly requires. Either choice leaves you free to focus on rhythm rather than leg-loading torque.

Summary

Colle della Cremosina is a clean, well-mannered category 4 ascent: short, steady, and ideal as a warm-up, a tempo session, or a first taste of climbing. Ride the average, respect the 7.02% ramps, and enjoy a climb that gives back what you put in.

Length: 5.3 km
Average gradient: 3.65%
Max gradient: 7.02%
Start: 399 m
Summit: 594 m
Net gain: 195 m
Total ascent: 176 m
Category: 4