Passo del Ticchiano

Overview

The Passo del Ticchiano is a Category 1 climb that rewards patience over punch. From a valley floor at 175 m it winds 18.6 km upward to a summit of 1204 m, a net gain of 1029 m. The average gradient of 5.54% sounds friendly on paper, and for long stretches it is — but the total ascent of 1008 m confirms that the road never truly lets you coast. This is a climb defined by its length rather than any single wall, the kind of ascent where the clock, not the legs, becomes the real opponent.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 5.54% average across 18.6 km, the Ticchiano is a metronome of a climb. The math is telling: a net gain of 1029 m against a total ascent of 1008 m means the road climbs almost continuously, with only the faintest of respites. There is very little false flat and no significant descent to break the rhythm — nearly every metre you climb, you keep.

What gives the climb its sting is the spread between the 5.54% average and the 11.39% maximum. That difference of almost six points tells you the road is not uniform: expect the gradient to stiffen well above average on the steeper pitches, then ease back toward single digits on the more forgiving sections. Ride it as a steady effort and those 11.39% ramps will feel like the hardest moments of your day.

Pacing Notes

The Ticchiano is a climb best paced by numbers. Because the gradient rarely spikes for long, holding a controlled effort just below your threshold pays off over the full 18.6 km. Aim to climb the average sections comfortably under your FTP, keeping enough in reserve to absorb the steeper 11.39% ramps without redlining.

If you are unsure where your ceiling sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace. A climb this long punishes anyone who starts too hot: with 1029 m of net gain to grind through, going into the red early leaves nothing for the upper slopes. Settle into a sustainable tempo from the base and let the summit come to you.

Gearing

For a 18.6 km climb averaging 5.54% with pitches to 11.39%, gearing generosity is your friend. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a 34×32 cassette will cover most riders on the average slopes, giving a low enough gear to spin the moderate sections without grinding. If you know you fade over long efforts, or you want to keep cadence high on the steepest ramps, step up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket makes the 11.39% pitches noticeably more manageable and preserves your legs across the full ascent. On a climb defined by duration, err toward the easier setup.

Summary

The Passo del Ticchiano is a long, honest Category 1 climb: 18.6 km of near-continuous ascent at a manageable 5.54% average, spiced by ramps to 11.39%. Pace it patiently, gear it generously, and the 1029 m of climbing becomes a steady, satisfying grind rather than a beating.

Length: 18.6 km
Average gradient: 5.54%
Max gradient: 11.39%
Start: 175 m
Summit: 1204 m
Net gain: 1029 m
Total ascent: 1008 m
Category: 1