Overview
Ghenna Sìlana is a Category 1 climb that asks a real question of every rider who points a wheel uphill. Over 12.2 km it averages 7.74%, lifting you from a start elevation of 60 m to a summit at 1001 m. That is 941 m of net elevation gain, and with the rolling character of the road the total ascent comes to 958 m — a small 17 m of extra climbing hidden inside brief dips and false flats. On paper the numbers are honest: a long, steady, and genuinely hard mountain that rewards patience far more than aggression.
How the Gradient Unfolds
The headline figure is the 7.74% average, but averages flatten drama. The defining feature of Ghenna Sìlana is its 38.69% maximum gradient — an extraordinary spike that is roughly five times the average pitch. A ramp that steep is not something you power through; it is something you survive. Expect the climb to breathe: sections that sit near or just under the mean, punctuated by sharper kicks that drag the effort well into the red. Because the difference between the net gain of 941 m and the total ascent of 958 m is only 17 m, there is very little true respite — the road gives back almost nothing before demanding more. Read the climb as one long sustained effort with a handful of vicious accents rather than a series of discrete steps.
Pacing Notes
On a climb this length, discipline beats bravado. Your target for the bulk of the 12.2 km should sit right around your threshold — your FTP is the number that matters here. Ride the steady 7.74% sections at or just below threshold and bank energy for the steep ramps, where cadence collapses and power spikes whether you want it to or not. The single biggest mistake on Ghenna Sìlana is spending too much matchbook on an early kick and paying for it across the remaining kilometres. If you are unsure of your threshold, dial it in first with the FTP estimator so your pacing is anchored to real data rather than optimism.
Gearing
The 38.69% max gradient is the deciding factor for your setup. Gearing that feels generous on an ordinary Category 1 climb will feel desperately short here. A compact 34-tooth chainring paired with a 34×32 low is the sensible floor for strong climbers, but most riders will be grateful for the extra range of a 34×34. On the steepest ramps even 34×34 will have you grinding at survival cadence, so if your bike can accept a larger cassette, do not be too proud to fit one. Spin to survive; there is no shame in the smallest gear you own on a wall this steep.
Summary
Ghenna Sìlana is a Category 1 climb that earns its rating through length, a stiff 7.74% average, and a brutal 38.69% maximum. Come with the right gearing and a threshold-honest plan, and the 941 m of gain to the 1001 m summit is entirely achievable.
Length: 12.2 km
Average gradient: 7.74%
Max gradient: 38.69%
Start: 60 m
Summit: 1001 m
Net gain: 941 m
Total ascent: 958 m
Category: 1