Passo delle Cavallaie

Overview

Passo delle Cavallaie is a Category 1 climb that rewards patience and punishes over-eagerness in equal measure. Over 14.6 km it lifts you from a valley floor at 59 m to a summit of 869 m, a net gain of 810 m. The average gradient reads a moderate 5.54%, but that figure hides the climb's true character: a spike of 27.74% at its steepest lurks somewhere along the way, meaning the mean is stitched together from long, rolling stretches and short, brutal ramps.

At just over 800 m of total ascent packed into a fairly long distance, this is a climb of sustained effort rather than a single knockout wall. It sits firmly in the "hard but honest" bracket — the kind of ascent where your pacing discipline in the first half decides how much you have left for the rest.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Do not be lulled by the 5.54% average. With a maximum of 27.74%, the ratio between the hardest pitch and the mean is roughly five to one, which tells you the profile is uneven. Expect long passages that sit comfortably below the average — sections where you can settle into a rhythm and recover — punctuated by sharp kicks that force you out of the saddle.

The math is instructive: 14.6 km delivering 810 m of net gain means the climb never truly relents, yet the total ascent of 801 m being slightly less than the net gain over its length signals a smooth, mostly one-directional grind rather than a rollercoaster of descents. The steep ramps are the moments that count; everything else is about conserving so you can survive them.

Pacing Notes

Ride the first two-thirds well within yourself. On a climb this long, going into the red early is the classic mistake — you will pay for it when a 27.74% ramp arrives and there is nothing in the tank. Aim to hold a steady percentage of your FTP, backing off on the shallow stretches and accepting a brief surge over the steepest pitches.

If you are unsure of your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. A climb averaging 5.54% over 14.6 km is long enough that a five- or ten-watt pacing error compounds badly by the summit at 869 m.

Gearing

The 27.74% maximum is the deciding factor here. A compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible minimum. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the shallower sections and the average grade without drama, but on the sharpest ramp it may leave you grinding at a cadence that torches your legs.

For safety, and for anyone not racing, size up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket buys you a spin-friendly gear on the steepest pitch and keeps your cadence civil when the road rears up. On a climb with this spread between average and max gradient, the lowest gear you own is the one that matters.

Summary

Passo delle Cavallaie is a long, honest Category 1 climb defined by its contrast: a manageable 5.54% average masking a fearsome 27.74% wall. Pace conservatively, gear generously, and the 810 m of vertical to 869 m is thoroughly achievable.

Length: 14.6 km
Average gradient: 5.54%
Max gradient: 27.74%
Start: 59 m
Summit: 869 m
Net gain: 810 m
Total ascent: 801 m
Category: 1