Passo della Spingarda

Overview

Passo della Spingarda is a genuine hors catégorie climb, and the numbers leave no room for doubt. Over 15 km the road lifts you from 141 m at the base to 1551 m at the summit, a net gain of 1410 m. The average gradient sits at a brutal 9.41%, a figure that puts it among the steepest sustained ascents you can ride. There is no gentle valley approach here — the difficulty is front-loaded into every kilometre, and the total ascent of 1402 m confirms this is climbing almost the entire way, with barely a metre given back.

How the Gradient Unfolds

What makes Spingarda so punishing is not a single wall but the consistency of the pain. A 9.41% average across 15 km means there are no long recovery stretches to reset your legs; the road simply keeps tilting upward. The gradient spikes to a maximum of 20.31%, so expect ramps that force you out of the saddle and briefly double your working average. Because the climb gains 1410 m net against 1402 m of total ascent, the profile is essentially monotonic — it climbs, then climbs some more. Riders should treat the whole thing as one continuous effort rather than a series of discrete pitches.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long and this steep, pacing is everything. Fifteen kilometres at 9.41% will expose any rider who starts too hard, so anchor your effort to your FTP rather than to how you feel in the first kilometre — adrenaline lies on the lower slopes. If you do not know your threshold, run the numbers through the FTP estimator before you commit to this one, because a sustainable power target is the single most useful piece of information you can carry to the base. Aim to ride the average grade at a controlled percentage of threshold and hold something in reserve for the 20.31% pitches, which will spike your power far above your target whether you like it or not. Ration your matches; there are 1410 vertical metres to spend them on.

Gearing

Gear for survival, not for pride. With a 9.41% average and ramps hitting 20.31%, a compact 34-tooth chainring is the minimum sensible front, and the cassette is where you win or lose the day. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up at a grinding cadence, but on a climb this sustained many will be far happier with a 34×34, which buys precious cadence on the steepest ramps and protects your legs across the full 15 km. If your bike accepts it, wider-range gearing is never a mistake on an HC ascent — spinning a low gear beats mashing a high one when the road refuses to relent.

Summary

Passo della Spingarda is a pure test of climbing endurance: long, steep, and unremitting from 141 m to 1551 m. Respect the average, fear the maximum, gear low, and pace with discipline.

Length: 15 km
Average gradient: 9.41%
Max gradient: 20.31%
Start: 141 m
Summit: 1551 m
Net gain: 1410 m
Total ascent: 1402 m
Category: HC