Passo Balinello

Overview

Passo Balinello is a category-1 climb that rewards patience over aggression. Over 22.2 km it lifts you from 137 m at the base to a summit of 1204 m, a net gain of 1067 m. The average gradient reads a moderate 4.82%, but that figure hides the truth of this climb: a maximum pitch of 15.68% waits somewhere along the way, and the difference between the gentle stretches and the steep ones is what defines the effort. This is a long climb, and long climbs demand that you respect the distance as much as the incline.

How the Gradient Unfolds

A 4.82% average across 22.2 km means the road rarely settles into a single rhythm. With total ascent measured at 1040 m — slightly less than the net gain of 1067 m — the profile is almost entirely uphill, with negligible respite or descent along the way. Expect long, sustainable ramps punctuated by sharper kicks, the harshest of which reaches 15.68%. That single number, more than three times the average, tells you where the climb bites. When the road tilts toward that maximum, the effort spikes hard; everywhere else, the grade is manageable if you have paced the opening kilometres sensibly. Read the shape as a steady climb with teeth rather than a uniform drag.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold something in reserve for the 15.68% ramp, where a moment of overcooking can cost you the rest of the ascent. Aim to ride the 4.82% sections comfortably below threshold so you have headroom when the gradient jumps. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you attempt Balinello — pacing a 22.2 km climb by feel alone is a fast route to blowing up. Break the 1067 m of climbing into mental chunks and tick them off; the summit at 1204 m comes to those who meter the effort.

Gearing

The 15.68% maximum gradient is the number that dictates your setup. Even with a benign 4.82% average, a 22.2 km climb accumulates fatigue that makes steep pitches feel steeper. A compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible choice. A 34×32 will get most riders up the steep ramp, but if you weigh more, ride at a lower cadence, or simply want insurance for the back half of a 1067 m ascent, step up to a 34×34. The extra sprocket costs little and buys you the freedom to spin rather than grind when the road hits its 15.68% worst.

Summary

Passo Balinello is a genuine category-1 test: 22.2 km of near-continuous climbing at 4.82% average, spiced by a 15.68% maximum, gaining 1067 m to a 1204 m summit. Pace it patiently, gear for the steep pitch, and the length becomes an ally rather than an enemy.

Length: 22.2 km
Average gradient: 4.82%
Max gradient: 15.68%
Start: 137 m
Summit: 1204 m
Net gain: 1067 m
Total ascent: 1040 m
Category: 1