Passo Le Crocette

Overview

Passo Le Crocette is a category-2 climb that packs a genuine punch into a compact 7.2 km. From a valley-floor start at just 22 m, the road hauls you all the way to a 497 m summit, a net gain of 475 m. The average gradient of 6.59% tells you this is no cruise: it sits firmly in the range where the climb is steep enough to hurt but sustained enough that you can settle into a rhythm. With a maximum pitch of 10.73%, there is at least one section that will force you out of any comfortable cadence and make you reassess your effort.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline numbers describe the shape well. Over 7.2 km, gaining 475 m in elevation from base to summit, the average gradient of 6.59% is close enough to the 10.73% maximum that the climb never truly relents into flat recovery. The gap between average and max, a little over four percent, means the steep ramps are punchy but not brutal outliers, they are variations on an already demanding theme. Expect the slope to hover around the mid-six-percent mark for long stretches, with the gradient rearing toward double digits on the harder pitches. The total ascent of 454 m is slightly less than the net gain of 475 m, a reminder that the road climbs almost continuously with little in the way of descending relief.

Pacing Notes

Because the climb is short but consistently steep, pacing is about holding a firm, repeatable effort rather than surging. Ride the 7.2 km just under or right at your threshold, treating the 10.73% ramps as the moments to spend a little extra without blowing apart. A good anchor is your FTP: aim to sit close to it on the sustained 6.59% grade and dip briefly above it only where the road kicks up. If you do not have a recent number to work from, run yours through the FTP estimator before you commit to a target. Get the effort right early and the 475 m of climbing will pass steadily; go out too hard on the lower slopes and the back half will feel far longer than its distance suggests.

Gearing

For a climb averaging 6.59% with pitches to 10.73%, err toward a wide, forgiving range. A compact chainring paired with a 34×32 low gear will serve most riders who can turn a strong cadence and hold power on the steep sections. If you prefer to spin, favour muscular endurance, or are carrying fatigue into the 475 m ascent, a 34×34 gives you meaningful extra breathing room on the double-digit ramps. Either way, prioritise a low gear that lets you keep the pedals moving smoothly rather than grinding.

Summary

Passo Le Crocette is a concentrated, honest category-2 test: short at 7.2 km but consistently steep, climbing 475 m to a 497 m summit. Pace it near threshold, gear generously, and it rewards a well-judged effort.

Length: 7.2 km
Average gradient: 6.59%
Max gradient: 10.73%
Start: 22 m
Summit: 497 m
Net gain: 475 m
Total ascent: 454 m
Category: 2