Passo dei Casoni

Overview

Passo dei Casoni is a Category 1 climb that demands respect from the moment the road tilts up. Over 12.1 km it averages 7.14%, hauling you from a start elevation of 129 m to a summit at 994 m — a net gain of 865 m. That is a long, sustained effort with almost no relief, the kind of ascent where the elevation ticks upward steadily rather than in dramatic steps. At full length and gradient, this is a climb you settle into and endure rather than attack.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency. A 7.14% average across 12.1 km means there is precious little flat ground to recover on — the mountain simply keeps pulling. But the number that separates Casoni from a purely rhythmic climb is the 14.64% maximum. That pitch is roughly double the average, so somewhere on the road you will hit a ramp steep enough to break your cadence and force you out of the saddle. With total ascent measured at 850 m against a net gain of 865 m, the profile is almost monotonically upward: what you climb, you keep. Expect long stretches hovering near the average, punctuated by sharper kicks that spike well above it.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this length, pacing is everything. The 7.14% average is sustainable for most riders, but only if you resist the temptation to push early. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to hold a steady percentage of it for the full 12.1 km, leaving a small reserve for the 14.64% ramp so it does not blow your legs. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you ride — climbing 865 m at a well-judged intensity is faster and far less painful than starting too hot and unravelling in the final kilometres. Meter your effort, keep your breathing controlled, and treat the steep pitch as the one place you deliberately spend a little extra.

Gearing

For a 12.1 km climb averaging 7.14% with a 14.64% maximum, gear low and gear early. A compact chainring paired with a 34×32 is the sensible baseline for strong climbers who want to keep a spinning cadence over the sustained gradient. But given the 14.64% ramp and the sheer duration of the effort, most riders will thank themselves for going to a 34×34. That extra sprocket protects your knees on the steep pitch and lets you hold a comfortable cadence deep into the climb when fatigue makes every percent feel heavier. When in doubt on a Category 1 ascent of this length, choose the easier gear.

Summary

Passo dei Casoni is a long, honest Category 1 climb: relentlessly steady at 7.14%, but with a 14.64% sting that rewards patient pacing and generous gearing. Respect the distance, meter your FTP, and it becomes a rewarding effort rather than a war of attrition.

Length: 12.1 km
Average gradient: 7.14%
Max gradient: 14.64%
Start: 129 m
Summit: 994 m
Net gain: 865 m
Total ascent: 850 m
Category: 1