Valico del Campitello

Overview

Valico del Campitello is a long, category 1 haul that stretches 27.7 km from a base at 437 m to a summit at 1871 m. That is a net elevation gain of 1434 m, with a total ascent of 1410 m once the small dips along the way are counted. The average gradient reads a moderate-sounding 5.17%, but that number hides a spike of 28.99% — a wall steep enough to reshape how you ride the whole thing. This is a climb of endurance first, punctuated by moments that demand raw force.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The headline figure to respect is the gap between the 5.17% average and the 28.99% maximum. Over nearly 28 km, an average of 5.17% is a rhythm you can settle into: sustained, steady, the kind of grade you can hold in the saddle for a long time. But averages are deceptive on a climb this long. To average 5.17% while touching 28.99%, the road must offer easier stretches — false flats and shallow drags — that bank against the severe ramps. The difference between the 1434 m net gain and the 1410 m total ascent tells you the profile is not a clean staircase: there are brief losses of roughly 24 m where the road gives back a little before climbing again. Plan for a climb that undulates rather than one that rises at a constant tilt.

Pacing Notes

On a 27.7 km effort, discipline beats bravado. The single most useful reference here is your FTP — the power you can sustain for roughly an hour. A climb this long will likely exceed an hour for most riders, so aim to sit comfortably below FTP on the steady 5.17% sections and reserve headroom for the 28.99% pitch, where cadence will collapse and power will spike no matter how measured you are. If you do not know your number, run the FTP estimator before you commit to a pace. Treat the early kilometres as investment, not expenditure: going into the red before the steepest ramp is the classic way to turn a 1434 m ascent into a walk.

Gearing

With 1434 m of climbing and a 28.99% maximum gradient, gear for survival, not for show. A compact 34-tooth front paired with a wide cassette is the sensible baseline. A 34×32 will carry most fit riders through the steady 5.17% grades, but the 28.99% wall is where a 34×32 can run out of road — your cadence drops, your knees load, and the climb wins. For that reason, favour a 34×34 if your derailleur can handle it. The extra sprocket buys you the spin you need to keep the pedals turning through the steepest metres and protects your legs across the full 27.7 km.

Summary

Valico del Campitello rewards patience. Ride the 5.17% sections within yourself, respect the 28.99% ramp, and gear low enough to keep spinning all the way to 1871 m.

Length: 27.7 km
Average gradient: 5.17%
Max gradient: 28.99%
Start: 437 m
Summit: 1871 m
Net gain: 1434 m
Total ascent: 1410 m
Category: 1