Passo Dell'Alpe di Cavarzano

Overview

Passo Dell'Alpe di Cavarzano is a long, patient Category 2 climb that rewards riders who can hold a rhythm. From a valley start at 147 m, the road unwinds for 18.8 km before topping out at 1012 m. That is a net gain of 865 m, and the recorded total ascent of 847 m tells you the profile is almost relentlessly upward, with only the faintest breathers along the way. The average gradient of 4.59% sounds gentle on paper, but averages lie on a climb this long: the real story is in how the slope is distributed, and in the single spike that can undo an otherwise disciplined effort.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 4.59% over nearly 19 kilometers, this is a climb of accumulation rather than shock. The gradient sits in a range where you can spin comfortably for long stretches, letting the elevation stack up beneath you almost unnoticed. But the profile hides a sting: a maximum gradient of 17.33%. That is more than three and a half times the average, a wall that arrives without much warning on a road that has otherwise felt manageable. Everywhere else, expect rolling pitches that ease and steepen around the mean. The gap between the 4.59% average and the 17.33% peak is the defining tension here — long, forgiving grades that lull you, punctuated by at least one ramp that demands respect.

Pacing Notes

On a climb of this length, discipline beats bravado. Aim to sit just below your threshold for the bulk of the 18.8 km, keeping effort steady rather than surging on every rise. A good target is a shade under your FTP for the sustained sections, leaving headroom for the 17.33% wall. When that pitch hits, it is fine to briefly go over threshold — just don't blow apart before it. If you are unsure where your ceiling sits, run the numbers first with the FTP estimator so your power targets match reality. The climb gains 865 m; parcel that out evenly in your head and the summit at 1012 m arrives sooner than the length suggests.

Gearing

For a 4.59% average punctuated by a 17.33% maximum, you want a gear that protects your legs across 18.8 km without leaving you cross-eyed on the steep pinch. A compact 34-tooth front paired with a 32-tooth rear cog — a 34×32 — is the sensible baseline for most riders. If you climb at lower cadences, run heavier equipment, or simply want insurance for the max ramp, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket turns the worst gradient from a survival grind into a manageable spin and keeps your rhythm intact over the long haul.

Summary

Passo Dell'Alpe di Cavarzano is a rhythm climb with a bite: 18.8 km of accumulating gradient, a mostly steady 4.59%, and one 17.33% wall that separates the paced from the panicked. Respect the length, guard your gearing, and the 865 m of gain unfolds under control.

Length: 18.8 km
Average gradient: 4.59%
Max gradient: 17.33%
Start: 147 m
Summit: 1012 m
Net gain: 865 m
Total ascent: 847 m
Category: 2