Passo del Termine

Overview

Passo del Termine is a category 2 climb that rewards patience over punch. Over 15.2 km it lifts you from 327 m at the base to a summit of 943 m, a net gain of 616 m. The headline average of 4.05% reads gentle, and for long stretches it is — but that number hides a maximum ramp of 14.25%, more than three times the average. This is a climb you can ride at a rhythm, right up until it briefly demands you don't.

At 15.2 km it is long enough to matter, but the modest average keeps it out of the highest categories. It sits firmly in category 2 territory: sustained, honest, and best treated as a tempo effort rather than a series of surges.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is the gap between average and maximum. With the slope averaging 4.05% but spiking to 14.25%, the climb is not uniform — the gentler sections are subsidised by short, sharper pitches. The recorded total ascent of 593 m sits just under the 616 m net gain, meaning the road climbs almost continuously with little to no descending in between. There are no false flats giving back elevation; nearly every metre of ascent counts toward the top.

Practically, expect a long, manageable body of climbing punctuated by a ramp that touches 14.25%. Knowing that spike is coming is half the battle — carry momentum into it, hold your line, and let the gradient ease off the other side.

Pacing Notes

Because the average is a friendly 4.05%, the temptation is to push too hard early. Don't. Anchor your effort to a share of your FTP and let the 15.2 km come to you. A steady tempo just below threshold will carry you through the flatter sections with reserves left for the 14.25% ramp, where power naturally spikes.

If you're unsure what your sustainable number actually is, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your pacing. On a climb this long, riding 20 watts too hard for the first third is what blows the last third apart.

Gearing

The 4.05% average is spinnable on almost any road setup — but gearing here is dictated by the worst pitch, not the mean. At 14.25%, a shortfall in low-end range will force you into a grind. A compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most riders over the top comfortably, and it's a solid default for the sustained sections.

If you climb at a lower cadence, carry extra weight, or simply want insurance for that 14.25% ramp, size down to 34×34. The extra sprocket costs you nothing on the gentle stretches and buys you a genuine escape gear when the road stands up. For a 616 m climb, err toward the easier option — you'll thank yourself near the summit.

Summary

Passo del Termine is a long, steady category 2 that hides a sharp tooth. Ride the 15.2 km at tempo, respect the 14.25% ramp, and gear low enough to spin over it. Do that and the 943 m summit arrives smoother than the profile suggests.

Length: 15.2 km
Average gradient: 4.05%
Max gradient: 14.25%
Start: 327 m
Summit: 943 m
Net gain: 616 m
Total ascent: 593 m
Category: 2