Passo Tardie

Overview

Passo Tardie is short on paper and brutal in the legs. Over just 7 km it averages a staggering 11.98% and touches a maximum of 22.38%, lifting you from a near-sea-level start of 15 m to a summit at 859 m. That works out to 844 m of net elevation gain, with 811 m of total ascent packed into the climb. The category tells the honest story: this is an HC ascent — hors catégorie, the hardest rating there is, above categories 1 through 4. There is nowhere to hide on a road this steep for this long.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Tardie is relentlessness. An 11.98% average across 7 km is not a number softened by flat sections; it means the road tilts hard and stays there. With a maximum of 22.38%, the steepest pitches are more than double the average, so the climb is not merely uniform pain — it delivers ramps that briefly halve your speed and force you out of any rhythm you've built. Because the net gain (844 m) sits so close to the total ascent (811 m), you can trust that almost every meter is uphill: there are no meaningful descents to recover on. Expect the gradient to bite from the base and refuse to let go until you crest at 859 m.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this steep, pacing is survival. Anchor your effort to a percentage of your FTP rather than to speed, because at 11.98% average your pace will be slow no matter how strong you are. Ride the shallower opening stretches conservatively so you have something left when the road rears toward 22.38%. If you're unsure of your threshold number, run it through the FTP estimator before you commit, then aim to hold a steady, sustainable output rather than chasing surges. The gap between average and max gradient — over 10 percentage points — is exactly where riders blow up, so meter those ramps and let your effort rise briefly rather than spike uncontrollably.

Gearing

Do not underestimate what 11.98% for 7 km demands. A 34×32 is the realistic minimum here, and even that will have you grinding on the steepest pitches near 22.38%. For most riders a 34×34 is the smarter choice, giving you a cadence buffer that keeps your knees and your composure intact when the gradient doubles. If your setup allows anything easier, use it — spinning a low gear costs nothing and saves everything on a wall like this. The goal is to keep turning the pedals smoothly rather than lurching from stroke to stroke.

Summary

Passo Tardie is a pure, uncompromising HC test: 7 km, 11.98% average, 22.38% at its worst, rising 844 m from base to summit. It rewards patience, low gearing, and disciplined effort — and punishes everything else.

Length: 7 km
Average gradient: 11.98%
Max gradient: 22.38%
Start: 15 m
Summit: 859 m
Net gain: 844 m
Total ascent: 811 m
Category: HC