Passo del Branchino

Overview

Passo del Branchino is a hors catégorie (HC) climb, the hardest classification there is, and the numbers make the case on their own. Over just 9.3 km it drags you from a start elevation of 582 m to a summit of 1816 m — a net gain of 1234 m. That works out to an average gradient of 13.22%, a figure that would be punishing for a few hundred metres, let alone the better part of ten kilometres. This is not a climb you settle into; it is one you survive.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline average of 13.22% tells you the road rarely relents, but the real story is the spread. With a maximum gradient of 26.65% — more than double the average — Branchino hides ramps steep enough to stall momentum entirely if you misjudge them. The gap between the 13.22% average and the 26.65% peak means the climb pitches and eases in waves: stretches that merely hurt, punctuated by sections that force you out of the saddle or down to your last gear. Note too that the net elevation gain of 1234 m is larger than the total ascent of 1189 m, a sign the road tips downward somewhere along the way, so the climbing portions must be even sharper than the average implies to make up the difference.

Pacing Notes

On a wall this steep, discipline early is everything. The temptation is to attack the opening ramps, but at 13.22% average across 9.3 km there is no such thing as easy recovery — every metre above your sustainable effort is borrowed at a steep rate. Anchor your pacing to your FTP and try to hold a steady power target rather than chasing the gradient. On the 26.65% pitches, accept that your speed will crater; keep the pedals turning and let power spike briefly rather than blowing up trying to hold a number. If you are unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit, so your target on the day is grounded in real data rather than optimism.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this one. A 13.22% average with ramps to 26.65% will expose any compromise in your setup. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette is the sensible floor for strong riders, but most people will be far happier with a 34×34 to give themselves a genuine bailout ratio on the steepest pitches. If your frame and derailleur will accept it, err toward the easier end — spinning a low gear at cadence beats grinding a big one to a standstill on a 26.65% wall. Over 9.3 km of relentless climbing, saved matches matter more than saved grams.

Summary

Passo del Branchino is a short, savage HC test: 9.3 km that never lets up, averaging 13.22% and spiking to 26.65% as it climbs 1234 m from valley to summit. Come with low gears, a disciplined pacing plan, and respect for the road.

Length: 9.3 km
Average gradient: 13.22%
Max gradient: 26.65%
Start: 582 m
Summit: 1816 m
Net gain: 1234 m
Total ascent: 1189 m
Category: HC