Passo del Carmine

Overview

Passo del Carmine is a long, forgiving climb that rewards rhythm over raw power. Over 15.8 km the road lifts you from a start elevation of 118 m to a summit at 594 m, a net gain of 476 m. The average gradient sits at just 3.01%, which places this firmly in category 3 territory — not a wall, but not something you can dismiss either. The length alone means you will be pedalling for a while, and the total ascent of 477 m has to be earned metre by metre. Think of it as a tempo effort with a couple of sharper reminders along the way.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number here is the gap between the 3.01% average and the 7.8% maximum. That spread tells the whole story: this is not a uniform grind but a climb of shifting pitches. Long stretches roll along well below the average, letting you carry speed and momentum, before the road tilts up toward that 7.8% maximum on the steeper ramps. Because the mean gradient is so modest, those steep sections feel disproportionately hard when they arrive — your legs get comfortable at 2 or 3% and then have to absorb a sudden doubling of the slope. Over 15.8 km of this rhythm, the smart move is to stay relaxed on the flatter kilometres so you have something left for the kicks.

Pacing Notes

With a 3.01% average across 15.8 km, this is a climb best paced by feel and effort rather than gradient. Aim to hold a steady, sustainable power just below your FTP on the gentle sections, then allow yourself to drift a little above threshold on the ramps toward 7.8% — but only briefly, and settle back once the road eases. The danger on a long, shallow climb is going out too hard because it feels easy early; 476 m of climbing has a way of catching up with you. If you are unsure what threshold to target, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first and build your pacing plan around a figure you can actually hold for the full 15.8 km.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 3.01% you will spend most of the ascent in a comfortable spinning gear, so this is not a day that demands your easiest ratios everywhere. That said, the 7.8% maximum pitches are worth respecting late in a 15.8 km effort when the legs are tiring. A compact chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear gives most riders enough range to keep the cadence up on the ramps without grinding. If you tend to climb seated at a high cadence, or you are carrying fatigue into the steeper sections, a 34×34 buys extra insurance and keeps your knees happy on the pitches near 7.8%. Either setup handles this climb well.

Summary

Passo del Carmine is a rhythm climb: 15.8 km of mostly gentle gradient stitched together by a handful of steeper kicks. Respect the length, pace it below threshold, and save your matches for the ramps toward 7.8%.

Length: 15.8 km
Average gradient: 3.01%
Max gradient: 7.8%
Start: 118 m
Summit: 594 m
Net gain: 476 m
Total ascent: 477 m
Category: 3