Forcella Val de la Forscia

Overview

Forcella Val de la Forscia is a hors catégorie (HC) climb — the hardest rating there is, sitting above categories 1 through 4. Over 10.8 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 449 m to a summit of 1395 m, a net elevation gain of 946 m. The average gradient of 8.74% tells you this is relentless rather than rolling: there is very little recovery baked into the profile, and the road tips upward almost from the first pedal stroke. With a total ascent of 922 m recorded across the effort, nearly every metre you climb is metre you keep.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An 8.74% average across 10.8 km is punishing on its own, but the number that defines this climb is the 31.64% maximum. A ramp that steep is a genuine wall — the kind of pitch where staying seated becomes impossible and momentum evaporates in a single revolution. Expect the gradient to swing hard around that mean: long stretches near or above 8.74% punctuated by short, savage kicks that drag the max toward 31.64%. The gap between the 946 m net gain and the 922 m total ascent is only 24 m, which means the climb almost never gives elevation back. There are no descents to coast, no false flats to spin out — just sustained, upward pressure from 449 m to 1395 m.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steep and this long, pacing is everything. Ride the opening kilometres well under your limit; the 8.74% average will extract its toll whether you respect it early or not. Anchor your effort to your FTP — on an HC climb of 10.8 km you'll be sitting close to threshold for a long time, so aim to hold a sustainable percentage of it rather than surging on every ramp. When the gradient rears toward 31.64%, accept that power will spike briefly and let it settle again on the shallower pitches; chasing an even power number over a max like that is a losing game. If you're unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan the effort, then set a target you can defend all the way to 1395 m.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. For an 8.74% average with 31.64% ramps, a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 low gear will get many strong riders up the sustained sections, but the max pitches argue for more range — a 34×34 gives you an extra escape ratio for the steepest kicks and for the back half of the 10.8 km when your legs are deep into the 946 m of climbing. If your setup allows an even easier gear than 34×34, take it; on an HC climb there's no prize for grinding a ratio that blows you up before the summit.

Summary

Forcella Val de la Forscia is a true HC test: long, steep, and almost entirely without respite from 449 m to 1395 m. Pace it off your threshold, gear low, and treat the 31.64% ramps with respect.

Length: 10.8 km
Average gradient: 8.74%
Max gradient: 31.64%
Start: 449 m
Summit: 1395 m
Net gain: 946 m
Total ascent: 922 m
Category: HC