Passo del Turchino

Overview

The Passo del Turchino is the kind of climb that never lets you settle. Over just 6.7 km it averages a punishing 8.37%, hauling you from a start elevation of 25 m to a summit of 586 m. That is a net elevation gain of 561 m packed into a short distance, which is exactly why the road feels so unforgiving underfoot. With a Category 1 rating, it sits just one step below hors catégorie — hard enough to reshape a ride and leave a mark on your legs long after the summit.

What defines the Turchino is its density. There is no long approach to warm into, no gentle false flat to hide behind. The gradient bites early and stays high, and the 16% maximum pitch guarantees at least one moment where you are simply trying to keep the pedals turning.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An average of 8.37% across 6.7 km tells you most of the story: this is a consistently steep climb, not one with a single token ramp. The total ascent of 548 m confirms the road climbs almost the entire way, with very little respite where the grade drops off enough to recover.

The defining feature is the 16% maximum. That pitch is nearly double the average, so when you hit it, the change in effort is dramatic. Expect the climb to deliver its steepest section as a shock against an already demanding baseline. Because the average stays so high, the ramps between the hardest pitches offer little true rest — you are always working near threshold rather than coasting between efforts.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this short and this steep, the temptation is to attack from the base. Resist it. A 6.7 km effort at 8.37% will still take most riders well over the duration where you can hold power far above threshold, so treat your FTP as the ceiling, not the target. Aim to ride the lower slopes just under threshold, banking the ability to absorb the 16% pitch without blowing apart.

If you are unsure where your limit sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace. The steepest ramp is where riders who started too hard come undone — hold something in reserve so the 16% section is a hard surge rather than a full stop.

Gearing

With an 8.37% average and a 16% maximum over 561 m of climbing, gearing is not a luxury here — it is the difference between spinning and grinding to a halt. For most riders, a compact chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the right call. A 34×32 will get many strong climbers over the summit, but on the 16% pitch you will be grateful for anything easier.

If you tend to climb at a lower cadence, or you are carrying fatigue from earlier in the ride, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket keeps your cadence alive on the steepest ramp and protects your knees across the sustained gradient. Under-gearing this climb is a common regret.

Summary

The Passo del Turchino is a compact, uncompromising Category 1 ascent: short in distance, relentless in gradient, and topped off with a 16% sting. Pace it under threshold, gear it generously, and respect the density of those 6.7 km.

Length: 6.7 km
Average gradient: 8.37%
Max gradient: 16%
Start: 25 m
Summit: 586 m
Net gain: 561 m
Total ascent: 548 m
Category: 1