Passo Torri di Fraele

Overview

Passo Torri di Fraele is a long, Category 1 climb that unspools over 28.2 km. On paper the average gradient of 4.34% reads gentle, but that single figure hides a wide spread. You start at 829 m and finish at 2051 m, a net gain of 1222 m spread across nearly thirty kilometres. The total ascent of 1193 m confirms what your legs will suspect: this is not a relentless wall but a climb of varied character, with kicks, plateaus, and one genuinely brutal maximum pitch of 31.82%.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The gap between the 4.34% average and the 31.82% maximum is the whole story here. A climb that gained a smooth 1222 m over 28.2 km at a constant grade would sit comfortably under 5% the whole way. This one does not. Because total ascent (1193 m) is slightly less than net gain (1222 m) once you account for the rolling profile, the climb clearly features flatter recovery stretches and even brief false-flat sections that dilute the average. That means the steep ramps must be genuinely steep to drag the number back up. Expect long moderate drags punctuated by sharp pitches, with the 31.82% spike waiting to shatter any rhythm you have built. Treat the average as a lie you tell yourself and the maximum as the truth you must respect.

Pacing Notes

Over 28.2 km your pacing discipline matters more than raw power. Anchor your effort to a percentage of your FTP and hold it steady through the moderate sections rather than chasing the gradient. If you don't know your number, run the FTP estimator before you go. On a climb this long, going five watts too hard in the first third compounds into a blow-up before the summit. Sit just below threshold on the shallow drags, then allow a controlled surge on the steep ramps — including the 31.82% spike — knowing the flatter stretches let you recover. The climb rewards patience: 1222 m of vertical is a lot of time in the saddle, so budget your matches carefully.

Gearing

The 4.34% average tempts riders into bringing too little cassette, and then the 31.82% maximum punishes them. Bring a compact up front and plenty of range at the back. A 34×32 will get most fit riders over the moderate sections comfortably, but for the steepest ramp a 34×34 gives you the extra bailout to keep spinning rather than grinding to a standstill. On a 28.2 km climb, cadence preservation is everything — err toward the easier gear so you can turn the pedals over the 2051 m summit with legs intact.

Summary

Passo Torri di Fraele is a climb of contrasts: long and mostly moderate, yet spiked with a fearsome maximum that demands both gearing and composure. Pace it patiently, gear it generously, and the 1222 m to the top become manageable.

Length: 28.2 km
Average gradient: 4.34%
Max gradient: 31.82%
Start: 829 m
Summit: 2051 m
Net gain: 1222 m
Total ascent: 1193 m
Category: 1