Passo Rest / Pas di Rest

Overview

The Passo Rest, or Pas di Rest, is a Category 1 climb that packs a serious punch into a compact 11.9 km. From a valley floor at 320 m it works its way up to a summit at 1083 m, delivering 763 m of net elevation gain along the way. The average gradient reads 6.39%, which sounds civilized, but that figure hides a sharpest ramp of 19.88% — a wall steep enough to force even strong riders out of the saddle. This is a climb that rewards riders who respect its numbers and punishes those who go out too hard.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 11.9 km with a 6.39% average, the Passo Rest sits firmly in the tier of efforts that will take most riders well over half an hour. But the story of this climb is written in its variance. With a maximum pitch of 19.88% against a 6.39% mean, you can expect meaningful swings between shallower recovery sections and brutal double-digit ramps. The gap between the average and the max is enormous — nearly 13.5 percentage points — which tells you the climb is far from a steady drag. Expect to shift constantly, hunting for rhythm as the road pitches up and eases back. The total ascent of 744 m against a net gain of 763 m confirms the road is essentially all up, with negligible descending to break the effort.

Pacing Notes

The single most important tactic on the Passo Rest is discipline in the opening kilometers. Because the climb hides a 19.88% ramp, burning matches early leaves you nothing for the steep sections that can bury a rider. Anchor your effort to your FTP: on a Category 1 climb of this length, hold something a touch below threshold on the average grades so you have headroom when the gradient spikes toward 19.88%. If you do not know your threshold power, use the FTP estimator to get a working figure before you plan your pacing. On the steepest pitches, accept that your speed will drop sharply — that is the terrain, not a failure of fitness. Keep your effort even and let the road dictate cadence rather than fighting to hold a number.

Gearing

Gearing is where the Passo Rest separates a comfortable ride from a survival slog. With ramps reaching 19.88%, a compact chainring is the baseline, not a luxury. A 34×32 setup is the minimum most riders should consider here; it will get you up the average 6.39% grades but leaves little in reserve when the road hits its steepest. For most amateurs, and anyone carrying fatigue into the climb, a 34×34 is the smarter choice — that extra sprocket buys precious cadence on the 19.88% wall and keeps your knees and morale intact. If you have an even wider range available, this is a climb that justifies it.

Summary

The Passo Rest is a short but demanding Category 1 climb defined by its ferocious maximum gradient. Pace it conservatively, gear it generously, and it becomes a rewarding challenge rather than a day-ender.

Length: 11.9 km
Average gradient: 6.39%
Max gradient: 19.88%
Start: 320 m
Summit: 1083 m
Net gain: 763 m
Total ascent: 744 m
Category: 1