Passo della Pradarena

Overview

Passo della Pradarena is a long, serious ascent that earns its category 1 rating through sheer scale rather than any single wall. Over 19.1 km the road lifts you from a start elevation of 196 m to a 1379 m summit, a net gain of 1183 m. Because the road undulates rather than climbing in a perfectly straight line, the total ascent comes to 1189 m — 6 m more than the net figure, a hint that not every metre is spent going up. The 6.2% average gradient is honest and sustained, the kind of number that quietly erodes your legs over the better part of an hour.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Do not let the 6.2% average lull you. Averages smooth over the story, and the story here includes a maximum pitch of 24.25% — nearly four times the average. That single figure tells you the climb is not uniform: somewhere in these 19.1 km there is a ramp steep enough to force you out of the saddle and rob your momentum entirely. Expect the gradient to swing above and below the mean repeatedly across the ascent. The stretches that sit near or under 6.2% are your chance to recover; the pitches that spike toward the mid-20s are where the climb is won or survived. Spreading 1183 m of net gain across 19.1 km means there is simply nowhere to hide for long.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold something close to a steady tempo through the sustained 6.2% sections rather than chasing the gradient. When the road rears toward that 24.25% maximum, accept a brief surge — you cannot hold power constant on a wall that steep — then settle straight back to your target once it eases. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers first with the FTP estimator so your pacing is grounded in real data rather than optimism. Fuel early: an effort spanning 19.1 km and 1189 m of ascent will empty your tank if you wait until you feel empty.

Gearing

Gear for the wall, not the average. The 6.2% mean is manageable on almost any setup, but the 24.25% maximum demands a genuine bailout ratio. On a compact chainring, a 34×32 is the sensible baseline for most riders tackling 1183 m of climbing at pace. If you weigh more, ride tired, or simply want to protect your knees over the full 19.1 km, step up to a 34×34 — the extra range turns that brutal maximum pitch from a grind into something you can spin. Given the summit sits at 1379 m, err toward the easier gear; you will thank yourself in the final kilometres.

Summary

Passo della Pradarena is a category 1 test of patience and pacing: long, steady, and spiked with one genuinely vicious ramp. Respect the average, prepare for the maximum, and gear low.

Length: 19.1 km
Average gradient: 6.2%
Max gradient: 24.25%
Start: 196 m
Summit: 1379 m
Net gain: 1183 m
Total ascent: 1189 m
Category: 1