Colle di Turlo

Overview

Colle di Turlo is a category-1 ascent in Italy that stretches 14.8 km from a start elevation of 883 m to a summit of 1924 m. That works out to a net elevation gain of 1041 m and an average gradient of 7.03% — numbers that put it firmly in serious mountain territory without quite tipping into hors catégorie. The total ascent registered along the way is 1007 m, a touch below the net figure, which tells you the road climbs almost relentlessly upward with little in the way of descending relief once you commit.

The defining statistic, though, is the max gradient of 31.99%. A pitch that steep is close to the limit of what a road bike can be ridden up seated, and it hangs over the entire effort as a wall you know is coming.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Average and maximum gradients tell two very different stories here. At 7.03% sustained across 14.8 km, the climb never lets you settle into an easy rhythm — that is a grinding, hour-plus tempo for most riders. But the gap between 7.03% and 31.99% is enormous, meaning the climb is far from uniform. Expect long stretches that sit near or a little above the average, punctuated by sharp ramps that spike the effort well into the red.

With 1041 m of vertical to gain over 14.8 km and only 1007 m of measured ascent, there is essentially no flat recovery hidden in the profile. The steepest pitch alone accounts for a punishing gradient roughly four and a half times the average, so the smart approach is to treat the middle-of-the-road sections as your chance to recover before those isolated ramps.

Pacing Notes

The key to Turlo is riding the average, not the maximums. Hold a steady, sustainable output on the 7.03% sections and save your matches for the steep ramps that climb toward 31.99%. Anchor your effort to your FTP: on a climb of this length, a sensible target is a percentage of threshold you can hold for the full 14.8 km, letting the gradient spikes push you briefly above without blowing up.

If you are unsure of your threshold, run your recent numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan the effort. Going out too hard on the lower slopes leaves nothing for the wall, and on a 1041 m climb that mistake is unforgiving.

Gearing

For a 14.8 km climb averaging 7.03% with a 31.99% max, gearing is not a luxury — it is survival. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the minimum sensible setup. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the sustained gradient, but the ramps toward 31.99% will have you wishing for more. If your rear derailleur can handle it, a 34×34 gives you that extra low gear to keep the cranks turning on the steepest pitches without grinding to a walking-pace stall.

Summary

Colle di Turlo is a sustained, unrelenting category-1 climb where the 7.03% average grinds you down and the 31.99% max threatens to break you. Pace the tempo sections, gear low for the walls, and respect the 1041 m of climbing.

Length: 14.8 km
Average gradient: 7.03%
Max gradient: 31.99%
Start: 883 m
Summit: 1924 m
Net gain: 1041 m
Total ascent: 1007 m
Category: 1