Passo della Biscia

Overview

Passo della Biscia is a Category 1 climb that covers 11.6 km at an average gradient of 6.88%. Starting almost at sea level at just 7 m, it lifts you to a summit of 803 m, delivering 796 m of net elevation gain along the way. With 804 m of total ascent, there is barely any respite built into the profile: nearly every metre you gain, you keep. This is a sustained, honest effort of the kind that rewards patience and punishes anyone who goes out too hard from the bottom.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline number to sit with is the 6.88% average across the full 11.6 km. That is steep enough to demand real work for a long time, but it is the max gradient of 14.16% that defines the character of the climb. That maximum is more than double the average, which tells you the road does not hold a steady pitch. Expect the gradient to pulse between gentler stretches and sharp, leg-loading ramps that peak past 14%.

Because total ascent (804 m) sits only 8 m above the net gain (796 m), the descents woven into the climb are negligible. There is almost no coasting and no recovery gifted by the terrain. What you climb, you climb for good, so the mental model here is a single long push rather than a series of separate hills.

Pacing Notes

The smartest way to ride Biscia is to anchor your effort to your sustainable power. Ride the 6.88% average sections at or just below your FTP, then accept that the ramps toward 14.16% will spike you above threshold for short bursts. Do not chase those spikes with more gear than you can turn; let cadence drop briefly and recover on the shallower pitches that follow.

If you are unsure what your threshold actually is, the FTP estimator will give you a working number to pace against. Over 11.6 km of near-continuous climbing, holding a disciplined effort early will leave you far fresher for the steep final metres up to 803 m than an aggressive start ever could.

Gearing

With a 6.88% average and ramps to 14.16%, this is a climb where a compact setup earns its keep. A 34×32 is a sensible baseline for strong riders who can grind the steep bits without wrecking their cadence. But given 796 m of net gain packed into 11.6 km, most riders will be happier with a 34×34, which keeps the pedals turning smoothly through the 14% ramps and protects the legs across the sustained middle. If your fitness sits closer to the recreational end, favour the 34×34 without hesitation.

Summary

Passo della Biscia is a long, sustained Category 1 test: 11.6 km at 6.88%, punctuated by ramps to 14.16%, rising from near sea level to a mountain summit. With almost no recovery in the profile, it rewards even pacing and forgiving gearing.

Length: 11.6 km
Average gradient: 6.88%
Max gradient: 14.16%
Start: 7 m
Summit: 803 m
Net gain: 796 m
Total ascent: 804 m
Category: 1