Passo della Colla

Overview

Passo della Colla is a category 2 ascent that rewards riders who respect a sustained, honest gradient. Over 7.8 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 465 m to a summit at 982 m, a net elevation gain of 517 m and a total ascent of 503 m once the small undulations are accounted for. The average gradient of 6.59% is the number that defines the day: it is steep enough to demand attention from the first pedal stroke, yet consistent enough that a well-judged effort can carry you all the way to the top without blowing apart.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The signature of this climb is its steadiness. With a 6.59% average and a maximum gradient of 9.59%, the difference between the typical slope and the hardest pitch is under three percentage points — this is not a climb of savage ramps followed by recovery, but a road that keeps leaning against you. Expect the steepest sections, nudging toward 9.59%, to appear where the road tightens, while the majority of the 7.8 km sits close to that 6.59% mean. Because net gain (517 m) sits just above total ascent (503 m), there is almost no descending mixed in — nearly every metre you climb, you keep. Plan your effort around a slope that rarely relents rather than one that spikes and eases.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this even, pacing is everything. The most reliable strategy is to settle into a rhythm close to your threshold and hold it, since there are no long flat sections to hide a burned match. Riding at or just below your FTP for the roughly 7.8 km will produce your best time without risking a blowup on the steeper 9.59% pitches near the end. If you are unsure of your current threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target — knowing your ceiling turns a guessing game into a plan. Start conservatively in the opening kilometre, then let the effort build as you read the slope.

Gearing

With a 6.59% average and pitches to 9.59% sustained over 7.8 km, gearing should favour a low, spinnable range so you can protect your cadence on the harder sections. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is a sensible baseline for strong climbers who want to stay seated and turn the pedals over the summit at 982 m. If you tend to grind or you are carrying fatigue, step down to a 34×34 for extra insurance on the steepest ramps. Either way, the goal is to keep your legs turning smoothly rather than muscling a big gear up a slope that never lets go.

Summary

Passo della Colla is a rhythm climber's ascent: 7.8 km of steady, honest gradient with just enough sting to keep you honest. Pace it near threshold, gear it low, and let the consistency work in your favour all the way to the top.

Length: 7.8 km
Average gradient: 6.59%
Max gradient: 9.59%
Start: 465 m
Summit: 982 m
Net gain: 517 m
Total ascent: 503 m
Category: 2