I Nàav

Overview

I Nàav is a full hors catégorie test of climbing endurance. Over 11.9 km the road lifts you from a start elevation of 201 m to a summit at 1338 m, a net gain of 1137 m. The average gradient sits at a relentless 9.54%, a figure that leaves almost no room to recover across the entire ascent. This is not a climb that eases you in and stings at the end; it is uniformly steep from bottom to top, and the total ascent of 1160 m confirms there is barely a descending or flat metre to be found anywhere on it.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency. A 9.54% average across 11.9 km means the climb rarely dips into single-digit relief. Where most HC ascents mix shallow drags with a handful of hard ramps, I Nàav holds its slope with unusual discipline. The max gradient of 25.11% marks the sharpest of the pitches — roughly two and a half times the average — and on a climb already this steep, a wall of that severity forces a decisive change of rhythm rather than a simple gear shift. Because the net gain (1137 m) and the total ascent (1160 m) sit so close together, you can trust that once the road turns up, it stays up. Plan for sustained effort, not intervals.

Pacing Notes

On a climb averaging 9.54% for nearly 12 km, pacing is everything. Riding just above threshold early will cost you dearly before the summit. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to sit at or just below it for the long, steady sections, holding a small reserve for the 25.11% pitch and the metres beyond it. If you do not know your current number, run the FTP estimator before you attempt this — pacing by feel on a slope this severe is how riders blow up. Given 11.9 km at this gradient, most riders should expect a sustained effort well beyond half an hour, so meter your matches carefully and keep something for the final third.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. With a 9.54% average and a maximum of 25.11%, you want the widest cassette your derailleur will accept. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette is the sensible starting point for strong climbers, but for the 25.11% ramp — and to protect your legs across 1137 m of gain — a 34×34 gives you the extra rescue gear that keeps your cadence turning. If your setup allows even more range, take it. Spinning a low gear here beats grinding to a standstill on the steepest section.

Summary

I Nàav is a uniformly brutal HC ascent: steep, long, and unforgiving, gaining 1137 m over 11.9 km with a wall of 25.11% to break the rhythm. Come with low gears, a paced plan, and respect for the average.

Length: 11.9 km
Average gradient: 9.54%
Max gradient: 25.11%
Start: 201 m
Summit: 1338 m
Net gain: 1137 m
Total ascent: 1160 m
Category: HC