Passo Pertica

Overview

Passo Pertica is a long, category 1 haul that trades brutality for endurance. Over 30.3 km the road lifts you from 168 m at the base to 1527 m at the summit, a net gain of 1359 m. The headline average is a modest-sounding 4.48%, but do not let that number lull you — a climb this long banks its difficulty in sheer duration, and the 17.25% max gradient proves the profile is anything but uniform. With a total ascent of 1341 m recorded across the route, there is a small amount of rolling relief folded into the effort, which tells you the gradient is not a steady drag but a sequence of surges and easings.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.48% average and the 17.25% maximum is the whole story here. When the summit-to-base net gain (1359 m) sits slightly above the total ascent (1341 m), it signals a climb that mostly points upward with only brief flatter or descending sections. Expect long stretches near or just under the average, punctuated by sharp ramps that spike well into double digits. Those steep pitches are where the climb bites: you can settle into a rhythm for kilometres, then get yanked out of it by a wall approaching that 17.25% figure. Reading the road ahead matters more than raw power — the smart rider spots the ramps early and arrives at them with something in reserve.

Pacing Notes

On a climb of 30.3 km, pacing discipline is everything. The average of 4.48% is well below most riders' threshold effort, so the temptation is to push too hard on the gentle sections and arrive at the steep ramps already cooked. Anchor your effort to your FTP rather than to how the road feels moment to moment. A sustainable target sits comfortably below threshold on the shallow kilometres, leaving headroom to absorb the surges toward 17.25% without blowing up. If you are unsure of your number, run a quick check with the FTP estimator before you plan your climb. Fuel and drink steadily from the bottom — 1359 m of vertical is a long time in the saddle, and dehydration will cost you far more than any single ramp.

Gearing

Because the crux is those steep pitches near 17.25% rather than the mellow average, gear for the worst moment, not the mean. A compact chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the ramps, but on a climb this long — where fatigue compounds mile after mile — a 34×34 is the safer, more forgiving choice. The extra range lets you keep your cadence up on the walls and spin the gentler sections without grinding, which protects your legs across the full 30.3 km.

Summary

Passo Pertica rewards patience: a long category 1 ascent where the challenge is duration and the sharp ramps, not a relentless grade. Pace to your FTP, gear generously, and let the kilometres come to you.

Length: 30.3 km
Average gradient: 4.48%
Max gradient: 17.25%
Start: 168 m
Summit: 1527 m
Net gain: 1359 m
Total ascent: 1341 m
Category: 1