17.8
PDI
12.9 mi
DISTANCE
3,546 ft
GAINED
4.8 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Roland Schuyer, Netherlands; Giordano Castagnoli, Umbria, Italy; Helmuth Dekkers, Netherlands.
INTRO
Monte Nerone West climbs 20.7 km (12.9 mi) from Apecchio to the top of Monte Nerone, gaining 1081 m (3546 ft) from 472 m (1549 ft) to 1463 m (4800 ft), just below the antenna-topped 1525 m (5003 ft) summit. It's the western of the mountain's three approaches - the others start from Piobbico to the north and Pianello to the south - and it climbs on the widest, best-surfaced road up the mountain.
The 4.8% average hides a two-part ride. The first 8.2 km (5.1 mi) out of Apecchio rise gently at 4.4%, then the road drops about 81 m (266 ft) to Pian di Trebbio. From there the real climb starts: 9.1 km (5.7 mi) at 7.8% with almost no letup, up mostly open slopes where the views widen with every bend and the summit is often wrapped in cloud. The steepest kilometer averages 8.9%, and the three hairpins at the very top are among the steepest of the day.
This is a race road. On July 12, 2025, the queen stage of the Giro d'Italia Women raced up from Apecchio to Pian di Trebbio and, later in the day, finished on the full final ascent from Pian di Trebbio to a line at about 1395 m, roughly a kilometer below where this route ends. Sarah Gigante won the stage, 45 seconds ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini.
The 4.8% average hides a two-part ride. The first 8.2 km (5.1 mi) out of Apecchio rise gently at 4.4%, then the road drops about 81 m (266 ft) to Pian di Trebbio. From there the real climb starts: 9.1 km (5.7 mi) at 7.8% with almost no letup, up mostly open slopes where the views widen with every bend and the summit is often wrapped in cloud. The steepest kilometer averages 8.9%, and the three hairpins at the very top are among the steepest of the day.
This is a race road. On July 12, 2025, the queen stage of the Giro d'Italia Women raced up from Apecchio to Pian di Trebbio and, later in the day, finished on the full final ascent from Pian di Trebbio to a line at about 1395 m, roughly a kilometer below where this route ends. Sarah Gigante won the stage, 45 seconds ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Monte Nerone West is 20.7 km (12.9 mi) long and gains 1081 m (3546 ft) at a 4.8% average, but it rides as two very different climbs.
Apecchio to Pian di Trebbio: The first 8.2 km (5.1 mi) gain 363 m (1191 ft) at 4.4%. One kilometer near the start touches 7.0%, but most of this section is a steady warm-up. The road then descends about 81 m (266 ft) over 3.3 km (2.1 mi) to Pian di Trebbio, at roughly 754 m (2474 ft).
Pian di Trebbio to the top: The final 9.1 km (5.7 mi) gain 709 m (2326 ft) at 7.8%, and individual kilometers stay between 6.9% and 9.3% the whole way. The steepest 500 m averages 9.6%, the steepest kilometer 8.9%, the steepest 2 km 8.4% and the steepest 5 km 8.0%. The finish is a short spur road with three hairpins up to the parking area below the summit gate, and the last kilometer is the hardest of the climb at over 9%.
Apecchio to Pian di Trebbio: The first 8.2 km (5.1 mi) gain 363 m (1191 ft) at 4.4%. One kilometer near the start touches 7.0%, but most of this section is a steady warm-up. The road then descends about 81 m (266 ft) over 3.3 km (2.1 mi) to Pian di Trebbio, at roughly 754 m (2474 ft).
Pian di Trebbio to the top: The final 9.1 km (5.7 mi) gain 709 m (2326 ft) at 7.8%, and individual kilometers stay between 6.9% and 9.3% the whole way. The steepest 500 m averages 9.6%, the steepest kilometer 8.9%, the steepest 2 km 8.4% and the steepest 5 km 8.0%. The finish is a short spur road with three hairpins up to the parking area below the summit gate, and the last kilometer is the hardest of the climb at over 9%.
Roadway: Paved throughout. The Serravalle di Carda road is the widest and best-surfaced way up Monte Nerone - it was upgraded ahead of the 2009 Giro d'Italia, it carried the 2025 Giro d'Italia Women to its summit finish, and riders describe it as wide and in excellent condition. It's also the road that's kept clear of snow in winter for the small ski area near the top. The last stretch leaves the main road on a short spur with three hairpins to a small parking lot and viewpoint; the summit itself, with its RAI and military antennas, sits behind a gate that is usually closed.
Traffic: This is the main car route to the summit area, the Rifugio Chalet Principe Corsini and the winter ski slopes, so it's the busiest of Monte Nerone's three sides, especially on weekends and in snow season. Even so, riders report little motorized traffic on a typical day.
Parking: Apecchio is a small town with a compact historic center - park in town and start from Piazza San Martino and the Palazzo Ubaldini, where the tourist information point is. To ride only the hard summit section, start from Pian di Trebbio on the Serravalle di Carda road. At the top, the small parking lot below the summit gate has a picnic table and a viewpoint.
Traffic: This is the main car route to the summit area, the Rifugio Chalet Principe Corsini and the winter ski slopes, so it's the busiest of Monte Nerone's three sides, especially on weekends and in snow season. Even so, riders report little motorized traffic on a typical day.
Parking: Apecchio is a small town with a compact historic center - park in town and start from Piazza San Martino and the Palazzo Ubaldini, where the tourist information point is. To ride only the hard summit section, start from Pian di Trebbio on the Serravalle di Carda road. At the top, the small parking lot below the summit gate has a picnic table and a viewpoint.
Provisions: Fill bottles and pockets in Apecchio before you start. On the mountain, the Hotel Ristorante Montenerone and its Il Poeta restaurant in Serravalle di Carda, just off the route near Pian di Trebbio, is the main place to eat, and the Rifugio Chalet Principe Corsini is a short detour from the summit area - check its hours before counting on it.
Gear: A compact crankset handles the gentle first half easily, but you'll want low gears for 9 km at nearly 8%. The upper road is open and exposed, so bring sunscreen on summer days and a windproof layer for the summit and the long descent - the top often sits in cloud even when Apecchio is in sunshine.
Gear: A compact crankset handles the gentle first half easily, but you'll want low gears for 9 km at nearly 8%. The upper road is open and exposed, so bring sunscreen on summer days and a windproof layer for the summit and the long descent - the top often sits in cloud even when Apecchio is in sunshine.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Apecchio is the reason to start on this side. It calls itself Italy's first "Città della Birra" (Beer City), with three craft breweries brewing with spring water from Monte Nerone, and it's just as proud of its truffles - the Apecchio Tartufo & Birra festival fills the town on the first weekend of October. In the center, the Renaissance Palazzo Ubaldini, designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, houses the tiny Teatro G. Perugini and the Museo dei Fossili e dei Minerali del Monte Nerone, with more than 2,000 specimens from the mountain you just climbed. A 15th-century humpback bridge crosses the river to the old bell-tower arch, and the local sweet to try is bostrengo, which gets its own festival around Ferragosto in mid-August.
Our Monte Nerone North and South pages cover Piobbico, Pianello and Cagli - ride all three sides and you've earned the Brevetto del Nerone. The summit can be much colder and windier than town, so check current conditions before you go with our Weather tool.
Our Monte Nerone North and South pages cover Piobbico, Pianello and Cagli - ride all three sides and you've earned the Brevetto del Nerone. The summit can be much colder and windier than town, so check current conditions before you go with our Weather tool.
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