Passo Pradolina

Overview

Passo Pradolina is short on paper and savage in reality. At just 3.3 km it looks like a warm-up, but the 14.21% average gradient turns that distance into one of the most concentrated efforts you can face on a bike. You start at 577 m and finish at 1050 m, a net gain of 473 m packed into barely three kilometres of road. There is no easing in, no false flat to recover on — the climb earns its Category 1 rating not through length but through relentless, unbroken steepness. Bring respect and bring gears.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The number that defines Pradolina is 14.21%, and unlike many climbs where a gentle average hides a single wall, here the average is the wall. Over 3.3 km the road demands sustained double-digit effort from the first pedal stroke to the last. The maximum pitch hits 19.03%, and the gap between the 14.21% average and that 19.03% peak tells you the ramps never really relent — the hardest sections are only a few points steeper than the norm you are already grinding through. Note too the difference between the 473 m net gain and the 435 m of total ascent: the profile climbs almost entirely in one direction, with no meaningful descents to break the rhythm or give your legs a moment's rest.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steep and short, the temptation is to attack — resist it. The 3.3 km distance is deceptive because at 14.21% your power has nowhere to hide. Aim to hold a steady effort close to your threshold rather than surging, since every acceleration on a 19.03% ramp costs far more than it returns. Knowing your FTP is essential here: it lets you cap your effort so you crest at 1050 m instead of blowing up halfway. If you are unsure of your number, run the FTP estimator before you ride so your target watts are grounded in data, not guesswork. Meter the first two-thirds conservatively and spend whatever remains in the final metres.

Gearing

Do not under-gear this climb. With a 14.21% average and ramps to 19.03%, most riders will want the widest range they can fit. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 cassette is the sensible starting point, and if your legs or your terrain warrant it, step up to a 34×34 for extra margin on the steepest pitches. The lower ratio lets you keep a survivable cadence through the 19.03% sections instead of grinding to a near-stall. Over just 3.3 km, comfortable gearing is not a luxury — it is what keeps you turning the pedals to the summit.

Summary

Passo Pradolina is a pure test of climbing strength: 3.3 km, 14.21% average, and a summit at 1050 m that you have to fight for with every metre. Pace it with your FTP, gear it generously, and let the numbers — not your ego — set the tempo.

Length: 3.3 km
Average gradient: 14.21%
Max gradient: 19.03%
Start: 577 m
Summit: 1050 m
Net gain: 473 m
Total ascent: 435 m
Category: 1