Genna Petta

Overview

Genna Petta is one of those climbs that leaves no room for negotiation. Over 7.7 km it averages a savage 11.85%, hauling you from a start elevation of 59 m to a summit at 966 m. That is 907 m of net elevation gain packed into a stretch barely longer than a warm-up loop, and the total ascent of 869 m confirms this is a relentless upward grind with almost no relief. It carries an HC rating — hors catégorie, the top of the scale beyond category 1 — and the numbers earn every letter of it. If you have ever wondered what a double-digit average gradient actually feels like in the legs, this is the climb that answers the question.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An 11.85% average is punishing on its own, but the story is in the spread. With a maximum pitch of 38.05%, Genna Petta hides ramps that are less "climb" and more "wall." Because the average sits so high, the flatter recovery sections you might hope for barely exist; the gradient oscillates around that 11.85% mean, occasionally spiking toward the 38.05% extreme. The gap between the 907 m of net gain and the 869 m total ascent tells you there is essentially no descending or false-flat relief — every metre of road tilts up. Expect to spend the entire 7.7 km reading the road ahead and bracing for the next kick rather than settling into a rhythm.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steep, pacing is survival. The single biggest mistake is attacking the lower slopes before the gradient has fully shown its teeth. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold something in reserve, because the steepest ramps toward that 38.05% maximum will spike your power far above threshold no matter how disciplined you are. Aim to keep your sustained sections just under threshold so the involuntary surges over the walls don't blow you apart. If you're not sure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit, then set a realistic ceiling for the 7.7 km. Ride the average, absorb the spikes, and let the climb come to you.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. With an 11.85% average and pitches touching 38.05%, generous gearing is non-negotiable for all but the strongest riders. A 34×32 is the sensible baseline for most, and even then the steepest ramps will have you grinding. If you weigh toward the endurance end, or you want to protect your knees over the full 869 m of ascent, step up to a 34×34 for a little more spin on the walls. The extra sprocket buys cadence exactly where you need it most — on the ramps that climb toward that 38.05% peak. Err on the easier side; there is no glory in stalling out.

Summary

Genna Petta is a compact, uncompromising HC test: 7.7 km, an 11.85% average, and ramps to 38.05% that demand respect, patience, and the right gears. Ride it smart and it rewards you with 907 m of hard-won elevation and a summit that feels genuinely earned.

Length: 7.7 km
Average gradient: 11.85%
Max gradient: 38.05%
Start: 59 m
Summit: 966 m
Net gain: 907 m
Total ascent: 869 m
Category: HC