Passo delle Ciaresole

Overview

Passo delle Ciaresole is a long, sustained Category 1 climb that asks for patience before it asks for power. Over 20.2 km the road lifts you from a valley floor at 605 m to a summit of 1761 m, a net gain of 1156 m. The average gradient of 5.72% sounds civil, and for long stretches it is — but a Category 1 label on a climb this length is earned, not gifted. This is a rhythm climb with real teeth, and the 12.25% maximum gradient is a reminder that the average hides as much as it reveals.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 20.2 km, Ciaresole is defined by duration rather than a single brutal wall. With 1156 m of net elevation gain spread across the ascent, the mean slope of 5.72% is the number you should carry in your legs — think of it as the baseline you return to again and again. Because the total ascent of 1136 m is slightly less than the net gain of 1156 m, the profile is almost relentlessly upward, with little in the way of false-flat recovery or descending relief. What that means in practice: the ramps that spike toward the 12.25% maximum are not offset by kind downhills afterward. You climb, and then you keep climbing. Expect the steepest pitches to punctuate an otherwise steady grind rather than cluster into one decisive section.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing is everything. Ride the first kilometres well below threshold — the 20.2 km distance punishes anyone who treats the opening slopes like a short effort. A sensible target is to sit just under your FTP and hold it, letting the steady 5.72% average do the work while you keep cadence high and breathing controlled. When the gradient rears toward 12.25%, absorb it out of the saddle briefly, then settle straight back to your number. If you are unsure what wattage that is, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you set off, then budget a sustainable percentage of it for an effort lasting well over an hour. The rule of thumb: leave the top-end matches unlit until the final kilometres, because there is a lot of mountain between 605 m and 1761 m.

Gearing

Gear for the length, not just the maximum slope. For most riders tackling a 5.72% average with 12.25% ramps stacked onto a 1156 m gain, a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the honest choice. A 34×32 will get strong climbers over the steep pitches without cross-chaining panic, but on a climb of this duration many riders will be far happier with a 34×34, which buys a little extra spin to protect the legs across all 20.2 km. If you have the range, err toward the easier ratio — you can always push a bigger gear when you feel good near the summit.

Summary

Passo delle Ciaresole rewards discipline: pace it patiently, gear it generously, and let the steady 5.72% average carry you from 605 m to 1761 m. It is long, honest, and unforgiving of early enthusiasm — a proper Category 1 test.

Length: 20.2 km
Average gradient: 5.72%
Max gradient: 12.25%
Start: 605 m
Summit: 1761 m
Net gain: 1156 m
Total ascent: 1136 m
Category: 1