Bassa della Scoggia

Overview

Bassa della Scoggia is a Category 1 climb that rewards patience over explosiveness. It runs for 18.9 km, starting low at just 30 m of elevation and topping out at 941 m. That works out to 911 m of net gain, though the road actually asks you to climb a little more than that — 961 m of total ascent — because a few dips and false flats give back a handful of metres along the way.

The headline number is an average gradient of 4.83%. That sounds gentle, and in isolation it is. But over 18.9 km, a moderate average adds up to a genuinely long effort, and the 15.64% maximum gradient tells you the road is not uniform. This is a climb of shifting demands rather than one relentless wall.

How the Gradient Unfolds

With a 4.83% average spread across 18.9 km, expect long stretches where the grade sits comfortably in single digits, letting you find a rhythm and hold it. The 961 m of total ascent against 911 m of net gain confirms there are brief respites — short descents or flat sections where the road eases before pitching up again.

The defining feature is the contrast between that mellow average and the 15.64% max. Somewhere on this ascent the road bites hard, likely a short ramp that spikes well above everything around it. Because it is an outlier rather than the norm, you can ride most of the climb within yourself and save your reserves for the steep pinches.

Pacing Notes

On a climb this long, discipline wins. The trap is treating the early gentle grades like the whole climb and burning matches you will want back later. Anchor your effort to your sustainable power rather than the terrain — aim to settle just below your FTP on the steady sections, and allow yourself to drift above it only through the sharp 15.64% pinches, where standing briefly costs less than grinding.

If you are unsure what number to hold, run the FTP estimator before you ride so your targets on the day are grounded in real data. Over 18.9 km, riding two or three percent too hard early can turn the final kilometres to the 941 m summit into damage control.

Gearing

The 4.83% average is manageable on standard gearing, but the 15.64% max and the sheer length mean you want a bailout. A compact 34-tooth inner ring is the sensible foundation. Pair it with at least a 34×32 for the steep ramps, which keeps your cadence honest when the road spikes. If you climb at a lower cadence, tire late, or carry any extra weight, step up to 34×34 for a little more spin in reserve. Having that easier gear available on the 15.64% sections lets you protect your knees and your legs across the full 18.9 km rather than muscling through in too big a gear.

Summary

Bassa della Scoggia is a long, honest Category 1 climb: 18.9 km at a friendly-looking 4.83% that still delivers 911 m of net gain and 961 m of total ascent, with a 15.64% sting to keep you honest. Ride it patiently, gear it generously, and the 941 m summit is very achievable.

Length: 18.9 km
Average gradient: 4.83%
Max gradient: 15.64%
Start: 30 m
Summit: 941 m
Net gain: 911 m
Total ascent: 961 m
Category: 1