Passo della Scoffera

Overview

Passo della Scoffera is a short, savage Italian climb that packs a full day's suffering into 3.9 km. Averaging 11.39%, it never lets you settle into a rhythm, and with the road pitching to 25.38% at its worst, it demands respect from the very first pedal stroke. You start low at 22 m and top out at 471 m, a net gain of 449 m earned over less than four kilometres. Category 1 is no accident here: the sustained double-digit gradient puts it firmly among the hardest classifications short of hors catégorie.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Scoffera is relentlessness. An 11.39% average over 3.9 km means there is almost nowhere to recover — this is a climb of constant pressure rather than a few isolated ramps. The 25.38% max gradient is the sting in the tail: expect at least one wall steep enough to force you out of the saddle and grind. Because the net gain (449 m) sits close to the total ascent (399 m), the profile is overwhelmingly uphill with little in the way of false flat or descent to break it up. Treat the whole thing as a single, sustained effort.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steep and this short, pacing is really about damage control. The 11.39% average means you will likely spend most of the climb near or above your threshold, so knowing your FTP is essential for judging how hard you can push without blowing up before the summit. If you go into the red on the opening slopes, the 25.38% ramp later on will punish you severely — there is no shallow section to recover on.

Aim to hold a steady, sustainable power through the consistent gradient, then accept that the steepest pitch will spike your effort well above target no matter what. If you don't know your number, run the FTP estimator first and set a realistic ceiling before you start.

Gearing

Do not underestimate this one. At 11.39% average with a 25.38% max, gearing is the difference between climbing and walking. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the minimum sensible setup. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steady sections, but the 25.38% ramp will overwhelm that ratio for many, forcing an unsustainable grind.

For safety and cadence, favour 34×34 or easier. The extra teeth cost you nothing on a climb with no flat, and they keep your legs turning through the steepest metres rather than stalling. If your bike allows an even larger cassette, use it — you will never regret spinning here.

Summary

Passo della Scoffera is a brutally efficient climb: 3.9 km of near-constant 11.39% gradient, capped by a 25.38% wall, that lifts you 449 m from base to summit. Short enough to attack, steep enough to break you — bring your lowest gears and pace the opening slopes with discipline.

Length: 3.9 km
Average gradient: 11.39%
Max gradient: 25.38%
Start: 22 m
Summit: 471 m
Net gain: 449 m
Total ascent: 399 m
Category: 1