Passo dell'Eremo

Overview

Passo dell'Eremo is a long, category 2 ascent that rewards patience over brute force. Over 14.7 km the road lifts you from a start elevation of 235 m to a summit of 923 m, a net elevation gain of 688 m. The average gradient of 4.67% sounds gentle on paper, and for much of the climb it is — but a maximum pitch of 11.6% means the profile hides some genuine bite. With a total ascent of 674 m recorded along the way, this is a climb where the numbers reward steady, honest effort.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline figure is that 4.67% average, but averages flatten out the story. Across 14.7 km, an average that modest almost always means the climb breathes — stretches of shallow, rolling grade punctuated by steeper ramps that push toward the 11.6% maximum. The gap between the 674 m of total ascent and the 688 m of net gain is small, which tells you the road climbs almost continuously rather than surrendering hard-won height to descents. In practice, expect to settle into a rhythm for long sections, then shift down sharply when the gradient stacks up. The steep pitches are the moments that define your ride here; the shallow ones are where you recover and prepare for them.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, the discipline is holding back early. The 4.67% average makes it tempting to attack from 235 m, but the steeper ramps toward 11.6% will punish anyone who spent their matches on the flatter opening. Anchor your effort to your FTP: aim to sit just below threshold on the shallow sections and allow short surges above it only when the road tips up. If you are unsure of your number, run the FTP estimator before you ride so you can pace by watts rather than feel. Treat the full 688 m of climbing as one continuous effort and meter it evenly — the summit at 923 m arrives sooner when you never blow up.

Gearing

For a 14.7 km climb topping out at 11.6%, gearing generously is smart. A compact chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear will handle the bulk of the climb comfortably, letting you spin the 4.67% stretches without grinding. But for the steep ramps near the 11.6% maximum — especially deep into the 688 m of accumulated climbing, when your legs are tired — a 34×34 gives you a meaningful extra cushion. If you tend to climb seated at a high cadence, or you are carrying fatigue, favour the 34×34. There is no penalty for having a gear you don't use, and plenty of regret in running out of them at 923 m.

Summary

Passo dell'Eremo is a rhythm climber's climb: long, mostly moderate, with just enough steep to demand respect and smart gearing. Pace it by power, save something for the ramps, and the 688 m to the summit will feel earned rather than survived.

Length — 14.7 km
Average gradient — 4.67%
Max gradient — 11.6%
Start — 235 m
Summit — 923 m
Net gain — 688 m
Total ascent — 674 m
Category — 2