Col de la Lombarde / Colle della Lombarda

Overview

The Col de la Lombarde, known on the Italian side as the Colle della Lombarda, is a hors catégorie giant. Over its full 30.1 km it climbs from a start elevation of 499 m to a summit of 2348 m, delivering 1849 m of net elevation gain. The average gradient of 6.14% sounds almost civilized, but that figure hides the truth of a climb this long: the road ramps as steep as 16.4% in places, and the sheer distance means you are working for well over an hour no matter how strong you are. Total ascent tallies 1821 m once the small dips and false flats are counted, so the road is not a single unbroken ramp — it breathes.

How the Gradient Unfolds

At 30.1 km, this is an endurance climb first and a steep climb second. A 6.14% average over that length means you can never fully switch off, yet the road rarely holds a punishing pitch for long. The presence of a 16.4% maximum against the 6.14% mean tells you the profile is uneven: expect stretches noticeably steeper than average traded against gentler recovery sections and short false flats. The difference between the 1849 m net gain and the 1821 m total ascent is small, confirming there is little descending mixed in — this is almost all up, all the way from 499 m to 2348 m. Because the summit sits at 2348 m, thin air becomes a genuine factor in the final kilometers, sapping power just as fatigue peaks.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline beats bravado. The number to anchor on is your FTP: ride the bulk of the 30.1 km comfortably below it, saving matches for the 16.4% ramps rather than burning them on the average grade. A good target is a steady tempo that you could hold for the full 1849 m of climbing without blowing up — if you don't know that number, run your figures through the FTP estimator first. Respect the altitude: as you climb toward 2348 m, the same watts feel harder, so bank a little effort for the top rather than the bottom. Start conservative, keep your cadence high on the steep pitches, and let the false flats be true rest.

Gearing

At 6.14% average with 16.4% spikes over 30.1 km, gear low and gear generously. A compact 34-tooth inner ring paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will get most fit riders up the steady sections, but on the 16.4% ramps late in the climb — with the summit approaching 2348 m and legs already deep into 1849 m of gain — a 34×34 buys precious cadence and spares your knees. If your bike can take it, err toward the easier 34×34; you will not regret spinning on a climb this long.

Summary

The Col de la Lombarde / Colle della Lombarda is a true HC test: long, high, and relentless. Pace it with your head, gear it low, and give the altitude the respect it demands.

Length: 30.1 km
Average gradient: 6.14%
Max gradient: 16.4%
Start: 499 m
Summit: 2348 m
Net gain: 1849 m
Total ascent: 1821 m
Category: HC