Passo di Mirabella-Pianopantano

Overview

Passo di Mirabella-Pianopantano is a category 3 climb that runs for 6.9 km at an average gradient of 3.85%. From a start elevation of 183 m it lifts you to a summit of 449 m, a net elevation gain of 266 m over its length. The recorded total ascent is 240 m, which tells you the road isn't relentlessly upward — there are flatter breaths and small dips folded into the profile rather than one unbroken ramp. With a maximum gradient of 7.26%, this is a climb that rewards rhythm over brute force. It sits comfortably in the "sustainable tempo" bracket: hard enough to matter on a long day, gentle enough that most riders can hold a steady effort from bottom to top.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number is that 3.85% average, but averages hide the story. With a max of 7.26% and a net gain of 266 m spread across 6.9 km, the climb is best understood as a series of gentle-to-moderate ramps rather than a wall. The gap between the 266 m net gain and the 240 m total ascent figure signals rolling terrain — brief false flats and shallow descents that interrupt the ascent. Expect the steepest pitches, approaching that 7.26% ceiling, to arrive in short bursts rather than sustained blocks. Between them the gradient eases back toward and below the average, giving you room to recover, shift up, and carry momentum into the next rise.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this length and gradient, pacing is about restraint. The whole 6.9 km can be ridden just below your threshold, so aim to hold an even effort rather than surging on every steeper ramp. Anchor your target to your FTP: riding at a comfortable tempo percentage of it will carry you over the 266 m of gain without blowing up on the 7.26% pitches. If you don't know your number, run a quick estimate with the FTP estimator before you plan your effort. When the road tips up toward its max, resist the urge to stamp on the pedals — shift down, spin, and let the false flats be your recovery. Because total ascent (240 m) is less than net gain (266 m), you'll get small reprieves; use them to eat, drink, and reset your cadence.

Gearing

For a 6.9 km climb averaging 3.85% with a 7.26% max, a compact setup is plenty. A 34×32 lowest gear gives most riders a comfortable spin through the steeper ramps while keeping a natural cadence on the shallower average sections. If you prefer to sit and spin, carry extra load, or simply climb within yourself, a 34×34 adds a touch more insurance for the sharpest pitches near that 7.26% ceiling. Either choice lets you stay seated and rhythmic across the full 266 m of gain.

Summary

Passo di Mirabella-Pianopantano is an approachable category 3 climb: 6.9 km of rolling ascent, a friendly 3.85% average, and a maximum of 7.26% that never quite becomes a wall. Pace it steadily, gear it sensibly, and enjoy the 266 m rise to the 449 m summit.

Length: 6.9 km
Average gradient: 3.85%
Max gradient: 7.26%
Start: 183 m
Summit: 449 m
Net gain: 266 m
Total ascent: 240 m
Category: 3