Passo Campolongo

Overview

Passo Campolongo is a Category 1 climb that runs 14.6 km at an average gradient of 6.85%. It begins already high, at 1191 m, and tops out at 2191 m — a net elevation gain of 1000 m over its length. The gradients are consistently demanding without ever tipping into the brutal walls of an HC ascent: steep enough to keep you honest, steady enough to reward a rider who paces well. With a maximum pitch of 11.46%, the hardest ramps stay in single- or low-double-digit territory, meaning this is a climb of sustained rhythm rather than sudden crises.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Campolongo is its evenness. An average of 6.85% across 14.6 km tells you that most of the road sits close to that figure, and the 11.46% maximum is only a modest step above the mean — roughly 4.6 percentage points harder than the average at its worst. That narrow spread means there are no long flat recovery stretches to bank easy time, but also no savage double-digit sections that force you deep into the red. Expect a road that pitches up early and holds its slope, with the steepest ramps appearing as brief punctuation rather than sustained crux sections. The total ascent of 970 m sits just below the 1000 m net gain, confirming there is almost no descending along the way — you climb, and you keep climbing.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this uniform, discipline beats bravado. Because the gradient rarely relents, riding a hair too hard in the first few kilometres compounds badly over 14.6 km. Aim to hold an effort you can sustain to the summit — for most riders that means settling in around threshold, or just under, and letting the steep 11.46% pitches nudge you briefly above FTP before easing back to your target power. If you don't know your threshold, run the numbers first with the FTP estimator and build your target watts from there. The altitude matters too: starting at 1191 m and finishing at 2191 m, the thinning air makes the final third feel harder than the gradient alone suggests, so leave a little in reserve for the top.

Gearing

For a sustained 6.85% average over 14.6 km, gear low and spin. A compact 34-tooth inner paired with a 32-tooth sprocket (34×32) is a sensible baseline for strong climbers who can hold a solid cadence. If you weigh more, ride tired, or simply want to protect your legs across a 1000 m ascent, size down to 34×34 for extra headroom on the 11.46% ramps. Either way, the goal is to keep your cadence up and your knees comfortable — grinding a big gear on a climb this long is a false economy.

Summary

Passo Campolongo rewards patience: a long, even Category 1 climb where consistent pacing and a low gear matter more than raw power. Get your rhythm right early and the summit at 2191 m comes to you.

Length: 14.6 km
Average gradient: 6.85%
Max gradient: 11.46%
Start: 1191 m
Summit: 2191 m
Net gain: 1000 m
Total ascent: 970 m
Category: 1