Valico Passaggio dell'Orso

Overview

The Valico Passaggio dell'Orso is a long, steady category 1 climb that rewards patience over punch. From a low start of 387 m, the road unspools for 24.7 km before topping out at 1505 m — a net elevation gain of 1118 m. Add in the rolling dips and re-climbs, and your legs actually absorb 1232 m of total ascent, roughly 114 m more than the net figure suggests. At an average gradient of 4.52%, this is not a wall you sprint at; it is an endurance effort measured in tens of minutes, where consistency beats heroics.

How the Gradient Unfolds

That gentle 4.52% average hides real variety. With a maximum pitch of 14.43%, there is at least one section more than three times steeper than the average, so the climb is far from uniform. The gap between the 1118 m net gain and the 1232 m of total ascent tells the rest of the story: the route gives back around 114 m somewhere along the way, meaning at least one descent or false flat interrupts the grind. Expect the profile to breathe — shallow drags that let you settle into rhythm, punctuated by sharper ramps that spike toward that double-digit maximum. The danger of a climb like this is misreading the easy averages and overcooking the flatter kilometres before the steep pitches arrive.

Pacing Notes

Over 24.7 km, pacing is everything. Anchor your effort to your FTP and hold a target power that leaves headroom for the 14.43% ramps rather than burying yourself on the shallow opening slopes. A useful rule: ride the 4.52% sections a touch below threshold so you can surge over the steep pitches without blowing up, then recover on the flatter breaks where the road gives back its ~114 m. If you are unsure of your numbers, run them through the FTP estimator before you commit to a plan. On a climb this long, riding 5% too hard early can cost you far more than 5% of your time at the top.

Gearing

Gear for the maximum, not the average. While 4.52% is spinnable on almost anything, the 14.43% ramps at altitude — deep into a 1118 m ascent — will punish a tall setup. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. Most riders will be well served by a 34×32, which keeps cadence honest on the steepest sections without over-gearing the long, moderate middle. If you spin a high cadence, tire on sustained efforts, or expect to arrive at the steep pitches with tired legs, drop to a 34×34 for extra insurance. The lower gear costs you nothing on the flat stretches and buys real comfort where the road bites.

Summary

The Valico Passaggio dell'Orso is a classic long category 1 test: steady enough to lull you, steep enough to catch you out. Respect the 24.7 km distance, pace off your threshold, gear conservatively, and let the climb's shape — not its averages — dictate your effort.

Length: 24.7 km
Average gradient: 4.52%
Max gradient: 14.43%
Start: 387 m
Summit: 1505 m
Net gain: 1118 m
Total ascent: 1232 m
Category: 1