Forcella Navalesc

Overview

Forcella Navalesc is a short, honest category 3 climb that rewards riders who respect its steepest moments. Over just 3.5 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 323 m to a summit at 549 m, a net elevation gain of 226 m. That works out to an average gradient of 6.42%, firmly in the range where you can hold a rhythm but never quite relax. With a maximum gradient of 17%, there is enough bite here to sting legs that started too hot.

The numbers tell a clear story: this is a climb you can finish in a single sustained effort, but the gap between the 6.42% average and the 17% peak means the difficulty is not evenly spread. Ride it well and it feels crisp and satisfying. Misjudge the pacing and those steeper ramps will find you out.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Forcella Navalesc is the spread between its average and maximum. An average of 6.42% across 3.5 km is manageable, but the 17% max sits well above that line, which means gentler sections must exist to balance the arithmetic. Expect the climb to breathe: pitches that let you settle, punctuated by sharper kicks where the gradient more than doubles the average.

Because the total ascent is recorded at 184 m while the net elevation gain is 226 m, the profile is essentially a clean upward push with little in the way of false flats or descents to give the legs a break. Every metre of the 3.5 km is working for you.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this compact, pacing is about protecting yourself for the 17% ramps rather than the 6.42% average. Aim to hold an effort just under threshold on the shallower sections so you have headroom when the gradient spikes. If you know your FTP, target the milder pitches at roughly tempo and allow short surges above threshold on the steep kicks — 3.5 km is brief enough to absorb them.

Not sure of your numbers? Use the FTP estimator to set a realistic ceiling before you ride. Starting 20 to 30 watts too high on a 226 m gain will cost you dearly when the 17% arrives.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 6.42% with a 17% maximum, prioritise a wide-range cassette. A compact chainring paired with 34×32 gives most riders enough range to spin the steep ramps without grinding to a standstill. If you climb at a lower cadence, carry more torque, or simply want insurance on the 17% pitches, step up to 34×34 — the extra sprocket keeps your cadence alive where the gradient more than doubles the average.

Either way, the goal is the same: reach the 17% sections with a gear left in reserve so you can seated-spin rather than lever the bike side to side.

Summary

Forcella Navalesc packs a genuine challenge into 3.5 km. The steady 6.42% average, the 17% maximum, and the 226 m net gain make it a climb worth pacing carefully and gearing sensibly. Respect the steep ramps, hold something back early, and the summit at 549 m arrives sooner than the effort suggests.

Length: 3.5 km
Average gradient: 6.42%
Max gradient: 17%
Start: 323 m
Summit: 549 m
Net gain: 226 m
Total ascent: 184 m
Category: 3