Passo di Ertola

Overview

Passo di Ertola is a long, patient category 1 climb that rewards riders who respect distance over drama. Across 24.8 km it lifts you from 123 m at the base to 1198 m at the summit, a net gain of 1075 m. The average gradient reads a modest 4.34%, but that number hides the truth of a climb this long: at nearly 25 km, even a gentle slope becomes a serious effort. The total ascent of 1106 m is a touch more than the net gain, telling you the road isn't a single unbroken ramp — there are small dips and easings woven into the profile that give back a handful of metres along the way.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Take the 1106 m of total ascent over 24.8 km and it's clear the road never lets go for long, yet the 4.34% average means most of it is comfortably rideable. The defining feature is the spread between that average and the 12.69% maximum. Somewhere on this climb the road pitches to nearly three times its own average, and that steep section is what will define your day. Because the mean is low, the climb likely stores its difficulty in concentrated ramps rather than distributing it evenly. Expect long stretches near or below the average punctuated by sharper kicks, with the steepest 12.69% pitch demanding a gear and a mindset you've kept in reserve. The 31 m difference between total ascent and net gain confirms there are recovery beats where the gradient eases or briefly tips downward.

Pacing Notes

On a climb of 24.8 km, pacing is everything. Ride the first two-thirds at an effort you could sustain all day — think tempo, not threshold — and hold something back for the 12.69% ramp. Your FTP is the reference point here: on a 1075 m ascent this long, drifting even slightly above threshold early will cost you far more than it saves. Aim to sit comfortably under FTP on the shallow sections so you have room to surge over the steep pitch without blowing apart. If you're unsure where your threshold sits, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target power. The climb's low average makes it tempting to push — resist, and let the length do the work of tiring your rivals instead.

Gearing

Don't be fooled by the 4.34% average when choosing gears. The 12.69% maximum, arriving after you've already climbed a chunk of the 1075 m gain, is where an over-geared setup punishes you. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the steep ramp with cadence intact, but for a climb this long — where fatigue compounds over 24.8 km — a 34×34 buys you the extra spin that keeps your legs alive to the summit. If in doubt, take the easier ratio; you'll never regret the low gear on a 1106 m ascent.

Summary

Passo di Ertola is a distance climb first and a gradient climb second: long, mostly steady, with one genuine sting near the top. Pace it patiently, gear it generously, and the 1198 m summit is well within reach.

Length: 24.8 km
Average gradient: 4.34%
Max gradient: 12.69%
Start: 123 m
Summit: 1198 m
Net gain: 1075 m
Total ascent: 1106 m
Category: 1