Sella di Corno

Overview

Sella di Corno is a category 2 climb that stretches 11.4 km with an average gradient of 4.54%. From a start elevation of 481 m it works its way up to a summit of 999 m, delivering a net elevation gain of 518 m. That length paired with a moderate average makes it a steady, rhythm-based effort rather than a wall — but the 9.73% maximum gradient means there are moments that demand real attention. It is long enough to reward a measured approach and forgiving enough that riders of many levels can reach the top without cracking, provided they respect the distance.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number, 4.54%, describes a climb that never settles into a single rhythm. Over 11.4 km that average conceals both easier drags and sharper ramps, with the steepest recorded pitch hitting 9.73% — more than double the mean. Expect the road to ebb and flow: sections where the gradient eases and you can carry speed, punctuated by kicks that force you back down into an easier gear. The gap between the 4.54% average and the 9.73% maximum is the story here. It signals an uneven profile where holding a constant power output matters far more than holding a constant speed. Read the road ahead, and let the flatter stretches be genuine recovery between the steeper efforts.

Pacing Notes

Because the climb averages 4.54% but spikes to 9.73%, the smart play is to pace off effort, not terrain. Anchor your climb to your FTP and aim to sit at a sustainable percentage of it for the full 11.4 km, letting your power drift up slightly on the steep ramps and back down on the shallower drags. If you go too deep early to hold speed on the first kicks, the back half of the 518 m of climbing will punish you. Not sure what your threshold is? Run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you ride, then set a target you can hold from bottom to top. Steady beats heroic on a climb this long.

Gearing

With a 4.54% average and ramps up to 9.73%, most riders will be comfortable on a compact setup with a wide-range cassette. A 34×32 lowest gear is enough for many to spin the steep sections without grinding, keeping cadence up where the road bites. If you tend to climb at a lower cadence, prefer to stay seated on the ramps, or expect to tackle Sella di Corno at the end of a long day, drop to a 34×34 for extra insurance on that 9.73% pitch. The lower gear costs you nothing on the flatter stretches and buys you a lot of comfort when the gradient jumps.

Summary

Sella di Corno rewards patience: a long, uneven 11.4 km at 4.54% with enough steep punctuation to keep you honest. Pace off your FTP, gear for the ramps, and let the 518 m of climbing come to you.

Length: 11.4 km
Average gradient: 4.54%
Max gradient: 9.73%
Start: 481 m
Summit: 999 m
Net gain: 518 m
Total ascent: 499 m
Category: 2