Passo del Bacio

Overview

Passo del Bacio is a 7.7 km category 3 climb that lifts you from a valley floor at 21 m to a summit of 358 m. On paper the 4.4% average gradient reads as gentle, and for long stretches it genuinely is — this is a climb you can ride at tempo rather than survive. But the numbers hide a trap: the maximum pitch touches 11.03%, more than double the average, so the effort is never as even as the headline figure suggests. With 337 m of net elevation gain and 303 m of total ascent, the profile climbs steadily and almost without relief, giving back very little on the way up.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.4% average and the 11.03% maximum is the whole story of this climb. Because net gain (337 m) is larger than total ascent (303 m), the road effectively only goes up — there are no meaningful descents to recover on, just varying degrees of climbing. Expect long ramps a little above the average, punctuated by at least one wall approaching 11.03% where the gradient more than doubles. Those steep sections are what turn a modest-looking 4.4% climb into something that demands respect. The gentler pitches between them are your only chance to reset your breathing before the road tilts up again.

Pacing Notes

The steady grade makes Passo del Bacio an ideal climb for riding at a controlled, threshold-adjacent effort. Anchor your pacing to your FTP: over 7.7 km you'll be climbing long enough that going into the red early on one of the steeper ramps will cost you dearly on the ones that follow. Aim to hold a sustainable power on the 4.4% sections and allow a brief surge only through the 11.03% pitch, settling straight back down once the gradient eases. If you don't yet know your threshold, use the FTP estimator to set a realistic target before you start. The climb rewards discipline: even splits will beat a fast start every time on a profile this relentless.

Gearing

At 4.4% average a compact chainring is more than enough for most riders, but plan your cassette around the 11.03% maximum, not the average. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the top comfortably, letting you spin the steep ramp rather than grind it. If you prefer a higher cadence, are carrying fatigue from earlier climbing, or simply want insurance for the 11.03% pitch, a 34×34 gives you an extra bailout gear with almost no downside on a climb this short. Over 7.7 km, protecting your legs on the steep sections matters more than any marginal weight penalty from the larger sprocket.

Summary

Passo del Bacio is a deceptively steady 7.7 km climb whose 4.4% average masks an 11.03% sting. With 337 m of net gain over an almost uninterrupted ascent from 21 m to 358 m, it rewards even pacing and sensible gearing over bravado. Ride it smart and the category 3 label feels fair; ride it carelessly and that steep pitch will remind you why the average lies.

Length: 7.7 km
Average gradient: 4.4%
Max gradient: 11.03%
Start: 21 m
Summit: 358 m
Net gain: 337 m
Total ascent: 303 m
Category: 3