Passo Garlenda

Overview

Passo Garlenda is a genuine hors catégorie (HC) monster, and the raw numbers explain why. Over 22.9 km the road climbs from a start elevation of 353 m to a summit at 2135 m, delivering 1782 m of net elevation gain and 1787 m of total ascent. That gap between net and total tells you the climb is almost relentlessly upward — only 5 m of the entire ascent is given back to descending or flat, so there is virtually nowhere to freewheel and recover.

At 7.8% average gradient sustained across nearly 23 km, this is an effort measured in the tens of minutes for most riders, not the handful of minutes a punchy wall demands. The 24% maximum gradient warns that the average hides some brutal ramps.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Think of Garlenda in terms of its shape rather than a single number. A 7.8% average over 22.9 km is already demanding, but averages smooth over the spikes. With a maximum of 24% — more than three times the average — you should expect stretches that pitch far above the mean, forcing you out of the saddle or deep into your easiest gear.

The near-total lack of respite is the defining feature. With 1787 m of total ascent against 1782 m of net gain, the profile barely dips. There are no meaningful false flats to shake out your legs, so the gradient works on you continuously from 353 m all the way to the 2135 m summit. Altitude adds its own tax in the final kilometres, where thinner air quietly trims the power you can produce.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. The mistake most riders make is treating the opening kilometres like the whole climb, then paying for it near the top. Anchor your effort to your FTP: on a sustained HC climb of 22.9 km, most riders should sit just below threshold and reserve headroom for the 24% ramps, where cadence collapses and power spikes whether you want it to or not.

If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you ride so your target zones reflect reality rather than optimism. Meter the 7.8% steady sections at a controlled, repeatable pace and let the steep pitches be the only place your effort surges. Fuel early and often — 1782 m of climbing is a long time to stay fed and hydrated.

Gearing

Gear for the 24% pitches, not the 7.8% average — the ramps decide what you need. On a climb averaging 7.8% for 22.9 km with maximums this steep, a compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get many fit riders up the steady sections, but on the steepest ramps it can leave your cadence dangerously low.

For most riders, and anyone not racing, a 34×34 is the smarter call. That extra sprocket preserves cadence when the road tilts toward 24% and protects your knees across the full 1782 m of gain. Err toward the easier ratio — spinning is cheaper than grinding.

Summary

Passo Garlenda earns its HC rating honestly: 22.9 km, 7.8% average, and 24% at its worst, climbing from 353 m to 2135 m with almost no recovery. Pace it below threshold, gear low, and respect the ramps.

Length: 22.9 km
Average gradient: 7.8%
Max gradient: 24%
Start: 353 m
Summit: 2135 m
Net gain: 1782 m
Total ascent: 1787 m
Category: HC