Passo della Forcella

Overview

Passo della Forcella is a long, temperate Italian climb that rewards rhythm over raw power. Over 18.1 km the road lifts you from a low start at 76 m to a summit of 873 m, a net gain of 797 m. The average gradient sits at a manageable 4.41%, which places it firmly in the endurance-climb category rather than the wall-of-pain bracket. It is rated Category 2 — serious enough to structure a whole ride around, but not the hors catégorie brutality of the sport's hardest ascents. The defining challenge here is duration: nearly the length of a long training loop tilted uphill, demanding a paced, sustainable effort from bottom to top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Do not let the 4.41% average lull you. The maximum pitch reaches 8.53%, roughly double the mean, which tells you the road is not uniform — it breathes in and out between flatter recovery stretches and steeper ramps. With 797 m of net gain but 774 m of total ascent recorded, the profile is essentially all up, with only minor undulation to break the rise. That combination — a gentle average punctuated by pitches near 8.53% — means the climb hides its difficulty in accumulation. Each ramp on its own is modest; strung across 18.1 km they add up to a summit 797 m above where you started.

Pacing Notes

Because the average is moderate but the climb is long, pacing discipline matters more than punch. Aim to hold a steady effort just below your threshold on the flatter sections, and let the effort — not the speed — stay constant when the road tips toward 8.53%. A useful anchor is your FTP: riding the sustained portions at a controlled percentage of it will keep you from redlining early and blowing up before the 873 m summit. If you are unsure of your number, run the FTP estimator before the climb and set a wattage ceiling you can hold for the full 18.1 km. On a climb this long, going out 20 watts too hard in the first few kilometres costs you dearly near the top.

Gearing

The 4.41% average makes this rideable on standard road gearing for strong riders, but the 8.53% ramps combined with the sheer length argue for margin. A compact chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear is a sensible baseline, giving you a spin-friendly bailout on the steeper pitches without spinning out on the flatter run-ins. If you climb at a lower cadence, carry extra fatigue, or simply prefer to keep your legs fresh across the full 18.1 km, step up to a 34×34. That extra cog turns the hardest sections into a manageable seated grind rather than a standing struggle — invaluable over 797 m of gain.

Summary

Passo della Forcella is a patience climb: 18.1 km of steady rise, a 4.41% average softened only by the flatter stretches between ramps that touch 8.53%. Pace it against your threshold, gear low enough to spin, and the 873 m summit comes to you.

Length: 18.1 km
Average gradient: 4.41%
Max gradient: 8.53%
Start: 76 m
Summit: 873 m
Net gain: 797 m
Total ascent: 774 m
Category: 2