Valico dell'Aceretta

Overview

The Valico dell'Aceretta is a long, patient climb rather than a wall. Over 24.7 km it lifts you from a start elevation of 388 m to a summit at 1533 m, banking 1145 m of net elevation gain with 1131 m of total ascent along the way. The average gradient sits at a modest 4.63%, and the max gradient of 7.97% never quite tips into the truly steep. That combination earns it a Category 1 rating: not the hors catégorie monsters, but a genuine hour-plus effort that rewards discipline over aggression.

How the Gradient Unfolds

Do the arithmetic and the character of this climb becomes clear. A net gain of 1145 m over 24.7 km would already be a full afternoon's work, but the 1131 m of total ascent tells you the road is not relentlessly uphill — there is enough flatter or gently rolling terrain to keep the running average down to 4.63%. That means long stretches sit well below the headline number, punctuated by ramps that push toward the 7.97% maximum. The gap between average and max is small, so you rarely face a savage pitch — but you also rarely get a true rest. Expect a rhythm climb where the road tilts up, eases, and tilts again for the better part of an hour.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, restraint early is everything. Anchor your effort to your FTP: for a sustained 24.7 km ascent, most riders will want to settle just below threshold and hold it, saving matches for the ramps that approach 7.97%. If you don't know your threshold number, run the FTP estimator before you go so your power target is real rather than a guess. With 1145 m to gain, going out too hard in the opening kilometres is the classic error — the average gradient of 4.63% invites you to overcook it because it feels manageable, right up until it isn't. Ride the flatter sections smoothly, breathe through the steeper pitches, and let the summit come to you.

Gearing

For a Category 1 climb of this length, gear for comfort, not ego. A compact 34-tooth front paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will handle the bulk of the 4.63% average without complaint and gives you a spinning gear on the ramps toward 7.97%. If you tend to climb at a lower cadence, tire late in long efforts, or expect to be fatigued when you hit the steeper sections, drop to a 34×34 for extra insurance — over 1145 m of climbing, the ability to keep the pedals turning smoothly matters far more than the slightly larger jumps between gears.

Summary

The Valico dell'Aceretta is an endurance climb: 24.7 km of steady work that rewards even pacing and a generous cassette. Get your effort right and the modest gradients make the 1145 m of gain feel earned rather than punishing.

Length: 24.7 km
Average gradient: 4.63%
Max gradient: 7.97%
Start: 388 m
Summit: 1533 m
Net gain: 1145 m
Total ascent: 1131 m
Category: 1