Pordoi Pass

Overview

Pordoi Pass is a long, high-altitude Category 1 climb that rewards patience over punch. Over 17.7 km it averages 6.01%, lifting you from a start elevation of 1176 m all the way to a 2238 m summit. That's 1062 m of net elevation gain — with 1045 m of total ascent recorded on the way up, this is very nearly a pure, uninterrupted climb with almost no respite or downhill in between.

At 6.01% average, the pass sits in that classic "sustained tempo" band: steep enough to keep you honest for well over an hour, but rarely so severe that it forces you out of the saddle. The single most important number here is the length. Seventeen-plus kilometres of continuous climbing is where fitness, pacing, and thin mountain air matter far more than raw power.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The defining feature of Pordoi is consistency. With a 6.01% average across 17.7 km and a maximum of just 12.2%, the gradient stays remarkably close to its mean for most of the ascent. There are no monstrous double-digit walls waiting to break you — the 12.2% max is a short pinch, not a sustained ramp.

Expect the climb to hover in the 5-7% range for long stretches, punctuated by slightly steeper pitches as the road switches back on itself. Because the net gain (1062 m) so closely matches the total ascent (1045 m), you can trust that almost every metre you climb stays climbed. There are no free descents to recover on, so treat the whole 17.7 km as one continuous effort rather than a series of separate walls.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, pacing is everything. The smartest approach is to ride to a target power anchored on your FTP rather than chasing the rider ahead. A sustainable tempo — comfortably below threshold — will carry you across all 17.7 km far more reliably than early heroics that leave you cracked before the summit.

Remember that the summit sits at 2238 m. At that altitude, available power drops, so plan to ride slightly more conservatively than you would at sea level, especially in the final kilometres. If you're unsure of your number, run the FTP estimator first and set a realistic ceiling before you start. Settle into rhythm early, keep your effort even across the steeper pinches near the 12.2% max, and save a little for the thin air up top.

Gearing

With a 6.01% average and a 12.2% max stretched over 17.7 km, gearing choice is about survival at altitude, not just the steepest ramp. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide-range cassette is the sensible baseline. For most fit climbers, a 34×32 provides enough spin to hold a steady cadence on the sustained middle section.

If you weigh more, ride at a lower FTP, or simply want insurance for the final high-altitude kilometres, step up to a 34×34. That extra sprocket keeps your cadence high and your legs fresh across a climb where the total ascent of 1045 m adds up relentlessly.

Summary

Pordoi Pass is a test of sustained tempo and altitude tolerance rather than explosive steepness. Ride it evenly, gear low enough to spin, and respect the 2238 m summit and you'll reach the top with something left in the tank.

Length: 17.7 km
Average gradient: 6.01%
Max gradient: 12.2%
Start: 1176 m
Summit: 2238 m
Net gain: 1062 m
Total ascent: 1045 m
Category: 1