Croce delle Serre

Overview

Croce delle Serre is a category 2 climb that packs a serious punch into its 9.2 km. From a start elevation of 236 m, the road lifts you all the way to a summit at 822 m, a net elevation gain of 586 m. The total ascent registers at 567 m, so almost every metre of this climb is spent going up — there is little in the way of false flat or recovery. With an average gradient of 6.4% and a maximum of 14.18%, this is a genuine sustained effort that rewards patience and honest pacing over heroics.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number for this climb is the gap between its average and its steepest section. A 6.4% average sounds manageable, but when the road ramps to 14.18%, that difference of nearly 7.78 percentage points tells you the gradient is far from uniform. Expect the climb to breathe — stretches close to the average punctuated by steeper ramps that spike well above it. Over 9.2 km, gaining 586 m of net height, you are climbing roughly a metre in elevation for every metre-and-a-half of forward progress on the steepest pitches. Read the road ahead: the moment you see a ramp bite toward that 14.18% maximum, shift early rather than grinding to a halt.

Pacing Notes

Because the effort is long and continuous, target a power just below your threshold. Anchoring your climb to your FTP keeps you from burning matches on the early slopes and blowing up before the summit. Aim to sit a touch under threshold on the sections near the 6.4% average, then accept a controlled surge above it on the ramps toward 14.18% — but never let those surges become all-out. On a climb of 9.2 km you want a rhythm you can hold for the full 586 m of climbing.

If you are unsure of your number, run the FTP estimator before you ride so your pacing targets are grounded in real data rather than guesswork.

Gearing

For a 6.4% average with pitches to 14.18%, give yourself room to spin. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring is the starting point. Paired with a 34×32 low, most trained riders can keep a sustainable cadence on the flatter sections and survive the steep ramps seated. If you carry a bit more weight, ride at endurance level, or simply want insurance against the 14.18% pinch, step up to a 34×34. That extra tooth on the cassette is the difference between spinning over the top and grinding your rhythm to pieces on the steepest section.

Summary

Croce delle Serre is a rewarding, honest category 2 climb: long enough to demand pacing discipline, steep enough in places to punish riders who start too hard. Respect the 14.18% ramps, settle into a threshold-adjacent rhythm, and let the 586 m of climbing come to you.

Length: 9.2 km
Average gradient: 6.4%
Max gradient: 14.18%
Start: 236 m
Summit: 822 m
Net gain: 586 m
Total ascent: 567 m
Category: 2