Sella Nabois

Overview

Sella Nabois is a Category 1 climb that packs a serious punch into a compact 7.1 km. From a start elevation of 585 m, the road climbs steadily to a summit of 1153 m, delivering a net elevation gain of 568 m with 551 m of total ascent along the way. The average gradient sits at a demanding 7.98%, and the steepest ramp bites at 16.85%. There is no easing into this one: an average that stays firmly in the high single digits over 7.1 km means the climb rarely gives you room to breathe.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With a 7.98% average across 7.1 km and pitches reaching 16.85%, the shape of Sella Nabois is defined by sustained effort punctuated by sharp spikes. A climb like this almost never sits at its average everywhere; the presence of a 16.85% maximum tells you there are ramps that jump well above the mean, meaning gentler stretches must exist to balance them out. Expect the difficulty to come in waves — steeper walls where the gradient roughly doubles the average, followed by sections that let you recover only slightly. Because the net gain of 568 m and total ascent of 551 m are so close, the road climbs almost continuously with little to no downhill respite. That near-constant upward tilt is what makes the effort feel unrelenting rather than segmented.

Pacing Notes

On a climb averaging 7.98%, discipline off the bottom is everything. The temptation is to chase the early gradient, but with 7.1 km ahead you want to settle into a rhythm you can hold to the 1153 m summit. Anchor your effort to your FTP: riding the sustained sections just below threshold leaves headroom to absorb the 16.85% spikes without redlining. When the road ramps up, let your cadence drop and your effort surge briefly, then recover back to target as it eases. If you are unsure what wattage to target, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you tackle it. Getting your pacing right early is what saves the top of a 568 m ascent from turning into a survival slog.

Gearing

For a 7.98% average that spikes to 16.85%, gear low and gear early. A compact 34-tooth inner chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline here. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the sustained sections, but on the 16.85% ramps — especially with tired legs late in the 7.1 km — you will be grateful for the extra range of a 34×34. If you have any doubt about your climbing legs, fit the 34×34; spinning a low gear preserves your effort far better than grinding a gear that is too tall on a climb this steep.

Summary

Sella Nabois is a genuine Category 1 test: 7.1 km of near-continuous climbing at 7.98%, with a 16.85% sting and 568 m of vertical to conquer. Pace it off your threshold, gear low, and respect the steep ramps.

Length: 7.1 km
Average gradient: 7.98%
Max gradient: 16.85%
Start: 585 m
Summit: 1153 m
Net gain: 568 m
Total ascent: 551 m
Category: 1