Passo della Pianetta

Overview

Passo della Pianetta is a long, category 1 haul that rewards patience over punch. Over 26.7 km the road lifts you from a valley floor at 93 m to a summit of 1403 m — a net elevation gain of 1310 m. The average gradient of 4.91% sounds gentle on paper, and for long stretches it is, but the sheer distance is what makes this a genuine mountain effort rather than a rolling excursion. Total ascent comes in at 1295 m, close to the net figure, which tells you the profile climbs almost relentlessly upward with little in the way of descending relief once you commit.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is that 4.91% average, but averages hide the story. With a maximum pitch of 10.78%, this climb is not uniform. Expect the road to breathe: shallower ramps where you can settle into a rhythm, then sharper kicks that briefly more than double the average and force you out of the saddle or down a gear. The gap between the 4.91% mean and the 10.78% peak is roughly 5.87 percentage points, so the steep sections are meaningfully harder than the mellow ones. Because the total ascent (1295 m) sits just below the net gain (1310 m), there are effectively no significant false descents to reset your legs — every metre you climb, you keep. Plan on a sustained upward drag punctuated by short, stinging ramps.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline early is everything. The distance means small overpaces compound; going 10 watts too hard in the first 5 km leaves nothing for the steep pitches later. Anchor your effort to your FTP and aim to sit comfortably below threshold on the shallow sections so you have headroom when the gradient bites toward 10.78%. A good target is a steady tempo-to-sweetspot effort, letting your power drift up only on the steepest ramps. If you don't know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you plan your climb. With 1310 m to gain, treat the first two-thirds as investment and save your matches for the upper slopes.

Gearing

Given the 26.7 km length and pitches touching 10.78%, gear for endurance, not heroics. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring is the sensible foundation. Pair it with at least a 34×32 for most riders — that lets you spin the steep ramps without grinding your cadence into the ground over such a long effort. If you climb at lower cadence, carry extra weight, or simply want insurance for the back half when fatigue sets in, step up to a 34×34. The extra range costs you almost nothing on the shallow sections and buys you a real safety margin on the pitches that spike well above the 4.91% average. On a climb where the difficulty is cumulative, easier gearing is almost always the right call.

Summary

Passo della Pianetta is a distance climb first and a steep climb second: 26.7 km of near-continuous ascent, a fair 4.91% average, and just enough double-digit gradient to keep you honest. Pace it conservatively, gear it generously, and let the 1310 m of net gain come to you.

Length: 26.7 km
Average gradient: 4.91%
Max gradient: 10.78%
Start: 93 m
Summit: 1403 m
Net gain: 1310 m
Total ascent: 1295 m
Category: 1