Portella del Pianetto

Overview

Portella del Pianetto is a long, forgiving Italian climb that rewards patience over punch. At 15.6 km, it is one of those ascents where distance does the damage rather than sheer steepness. The average gradient sits at a modest 3.67%, and the road lifts you from a low start at 18 m all the way to a 591 m summit — a net gain of 573 m across the full effort. The recorded total ascent of 564 m confirms this is an almost relentlessly upward road, with very little coasting to break the rhythm. It carries a Category 2 rating, which places it firmly in serious-climb territory: harder than a Cat 3 or 4, but short of the brutal Cat 1 and hors catégorie giants.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to understand here is the gap between the 3.67% average and the 9.9% maximum. A climb this long with such a low average is defined by its uneven texture. Long stretches will feel almost gentle — well below the average — which means the steeper pitches have to compensate. Somewhere along the 15.6 km you will meet ramps approaching that 9.9% maximum, and after kilometres of easy spinning, those pitches bite harder than the raw figure suggests. Because net gain (573 m) sits just above total ascent (564 m), there is barely any downhill respite: the road climbs, eases, and climbs again without ever giving the elevation back.

Pacing Notes

On a climb like this, discipline beats bravado. Hold your effort just below threshold on the shallow sections and resist the temptation to hammer — you will want that reserve when the gradient kicks toward 9.9%. Anchoring your pace to your FTP is the smartest approach here: a climb averaging 3.67% over 15.6 km is a sustained aerobic effort, not a series of sprints. Aim to sit around a steady tempo, then allow short surges to carry you over the steep ramps without blowing your legs. If you are unsure of your numbers, run them through the FTP estimator before you ride so your targets reflect your current form.

Gearing

The low average is deceptive — you do not need ultra-compact gearing to survive the flatter parts, but you will want a rescue gear for the pitches nearing 9.9%. A compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette is ideal. For most riders, a 34×32 gives enough range to spin the steep ramps without grinding, keeping cadence high and legs fresh across the full 15.6 km. If you climb at a lower cadence, run heavier, or simply want insurance on the steepest section, step up to a 34×34 — the extra sprocket costs nothing on the shallow gradient and buys real comfort where it counts.

Summary

Portella del Pianetto is a climb of endurance and rhythm rather than raw steepness: 15.6 km of near-constant ascent, gentle on average but sharp in places. Pace it to your threshold, gear for the steep bits, and let the distance do the work.

Length: 15.6 km
Average gradient: 3.67%
Max gradient: 9.9%
Start: 18 m
Summit: 591 m
Net gain: 573 m
Total ascent: 564 m
Category: 2