Passo della Quercia del Monaco

Overview

Passo della Quercia del Monaco is a long, low-slung Category 2 climb that trades brute steepness for patience. Over 13.4 km the road lifts you from a near-sea-level start at 22 m to a summit of 555 m, a net gain of 533 m. The average gradient of 3.97% sits firmly in tempo territory, and even the steepest ramp tops out at 6.58% — never enough to force you out of the saddle, but sustained long enough to demand real discipline. This is a climb you ride with your head as much as your legs.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature here is consistency. With an average of 3.97% and a maximum of only 6.58%, the spread between the two is narrow, which tells you the climb rarely deviates far from its mean. There are no walls to survive and no false flats long enough to recover on — just a steady upward drag that keeps chipping away at your reserves.

The total ascent of 515 m against a net gain of 533 m is worth noting: because those figures are close, the profile has little in the way of downhill respite. What goes up largely stays up. Expect the effort to feel relentless rather than explosive. The steepest pitches, capped at 6.58%, tend to arrive as brief stiffenings of an otherwise even grade, so momentum carries you through if you have paced the opening kilometres sensibly.

Pacing Notes

Because the gradient is so even, this climb rewards a metronomic effort held just below threshold. Anchor your pacing to your FTP: at 3.97% average, a well-judged tempo-to-sweetspot power will carry you the full 13.4 km without the surges and lulls that punish steeper climbs.

If you do not know your number, run the figures through the FTP estimator before you ride. The danger on a climb like this is starting too hard on the gentle lower slopes — the 22 m start feels easy, but you still have 533 m to gain. Settle into a rhythm early, resist the temptation to chase, and save a small margin for the firmest ramps near 6.58%.

Gearing

The modest 6.58% maximum means you do not need ultra-low ratios, but 13.4 km of continuous climbing makes comfort worthwhile. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default. For most riders a 34×32 will spin comfortably through the steeper sections while leaving usable gears for the shallower drags. If you prefer to keep your cadence high across the full climb, or you are carrying fatigue, a 34×34 gives you that extra cushion without any real downside on a gradient this manageable.

Summary

Passo della Quercia del Monaco is a climb of endurance and rhythm rather than raw punch. Its 13.4 km at 3.97% ask for a disciplined, even effort, and its 6.58% ceiling keeps it accessible to riders who pace it well. Get your rhythm right from the 22 m start and the 555 m summit arrives sooner than the numbers suggest.

Length: 13.4 km
Average gradient: 3.97%
Max gradient: 6.58%
Start: 22 m
Summit: 555 m
Net gain: 533 m
Total ascent: 515 m
Category: 2