Passo dello Strofinatoio

Overview

The Passo dello Strofinatoio is a genuine hors catégorie (HC) climb, and the numbers explain why. Over 33.5 km it lifts you from 122 m at the base to a summit of 1836 m, a net elevation gain of 1714 m. The average gradient reads a deceptively civil 5.12%, but the total ascent of 1823 m tells the fuller story: this road rolls and pitches rather than climbing in one clean line, so you gain more than the net figure alone. With a maximum gradient of 21.25%, there is at least one wall here that demands respect. This is a long, patient effort punctuated by moments that can wreck a careless pace.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Do not be fooled by the 5.12% average. On a climb this long, the average is a blend of shallow, almost restful stretches and much steeper sections. The gap between the net gain of 1714 m and the total ascent of 1823 m means roughly 109 m of the climbing is "wasted" on small descents or false flats that you must re-climb. That irregularity is the defining feature of the Strofinatoio: a rhythm you build on the easier grades gets shattered whenever the road tilts toward its 21.25% maximum. Expect to shift constantly, and expect the steepest ramps to arrive when your legs are already deep into the 33.5 km.

Pacing Notes

Length is the enemy here, not just gradient. At 33.5 km, this is an effort measured in tens of minutes, so ride it as a sustained tempo rather than a series of attacks. Anchor your pacing to your FTP: on the 5.12% average stretches, sitting slightly below threshold keeps the effort repeatable, while the 21.25% ramps will spike you well over it — that is fine, provided you recover on the shallower grades that follow. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator first, then plan a target you can hold across the full 1714 m of climbing. Going out too hard in the opening kilometres is the classic error on a climb of this length.

Gearing

Gear for the walls, not the average. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette is a sensible starting point for strong climbers who want to keep cadence up on the 5.12% grades while still surviving the 21.25% pitches. If you are carrying fatigue, riding at a lighter output, or simply value your knees over 1823 m of total ascent, size up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket is the difference between spinning over the steepest ramp and grinding to a near-halt on it. On a 33.5 km HC climb, the wider range is almost never the wrong choice.

Summary

The Passo dello Strofinatoio rewards patience, gearing sense, and a disciplined pace. Its modest-looking 5.12% average hides both its 33.5 km length and its brutal 21.25% maximum, and the 1823 m of total ascent means you climb more than the summit height suggests. Respect the distance, gear low, and let the mountain come to you.

Length: 33.5 km
Average gradient: 5.12%
Max gradient: 21.25%
Start: 122 m
Summit: 1836 m
Net gain: 1714 m
Total ascent: 1823 m
Category: HC