31.1
PDI
13.4 mi
DISTANCE
5,037 ft
GAINED
6.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Cavaso del Tomba is one of five ascents up the eastern face of Monte Grappa, in Italy's Veneto region - one of the densest concentrations of HC climbs anywhere. From the town of Cavaso del Tomba, the route climbs 13.4 miles (21.6 km) and gains 5,037 feet (1,536 m) to the Cima Grappa summit at a 6.4% average grade, a number that undersells how the climb actually rides.
The first 2.5 miles (4 km) out of town are the story: the grade averages 12.5%, with a handful of pitches briefly touching 20%, on a narrow road climbing straight into the trees. A second hard stretch follows - 11.3% for 2.7 miles (4.3 km) beginning around mile 3.8 - before the road eases into open ranchland near mile 6.5, complete with grazing cattle and sheep, and gives back roughly 500 feet over a two-part descent before the climbing resumes.
Around mile 10 (km 16), Cavaso del Tomba joins the same narrow, cliff-hugging stretch of WWI-era tunnels shared with the Fietta and Pederobba ascents - see Fietta's Roadway & Parking for the full description of that section.
All eleven Monte Grappa routes eventually merge and finish together at Rifugio Bassano, just below the Sacrario del Monte Grappa ossuary; see our Crespano ascent for the fuller history of that WWI memorial.
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. Cavaso del Tomba's 6.4% average badly undersells this climb - the number is dragged down by a mid-route descent. The real story is the first three miles: from roughly the 0.2-mile mark to mile 2.7, the grade averages 12.5%, including brief ramps that touch 20%, in the trees on a road with essentially no flat sections to recover.
A second demanding stretch follows at 11.3% for 2.7 miles beginning around mile 3.8.
Near mile 6.5, the road breaks into open ranchland and gives back roughly 500 feet over a two-part, 1.6-mile descent - the closest thing to a rest this climb offers, before the final push resumes toward Cima Grappa. Our data shows the steepest kilometer sits around mile 9, averaging roughly 15.1%.
Roadway: The road is paved for the entire 13.4 miles and has been in good condition on our visits, with the narrowest, roughest sections found in the WWI-era tunnels around mile 10 - see Fietta's Roadway & Parking for more on that stretch, since the two routes share it. We found no confirmed 2026 closures specific to this approach; check Provincia di Treviso's road alerts before a trip, as with any Monte Grappa ascent.
Traffic: Traffic is light for most of the lower miles through the trees, picking up modestly at each of several merge points - with Pederobba near mile 3, Possagno near mile 4.8, Fietta near mile 7, and finally Semonzo and the three northern routes within the last half-mile before Rifugio Bassano. Monte Grappa closes entirely to motor traffic for the annual Monte Grappa Bike Day each summer.
Parking: Cavaso del Tomba is a small residential town at the base of the climb; informal street parking is available near the start on Via Monte Tomba, close to its intersection with Via San Pio X. Pizzeria Tennis Basso, a long-running family pizzeria a short walk from the start, is this route's Brevetto del Grappa stamping location and a reasonable landmark for finding parking.
Cavaso del Tomba is entirely paved, so a standard road bike and gearing suited to sustained 12-15% pitches is all you need - this is not a gravel or MTB climb like the Crespano route on the mountain's other side. Given the 20%+ ramps in the opening miles, we'd recommend nothing higher than a 34x30 (or equivalent) for anyone not accustomed to steep alpine grades.
Layer up for the descent if you're returning the same way - temperatures at Cima Grappa's roughly 5,500-foot summit run noticeably cooler than at the base, even in summer. Water is not reliably available along the route itself; fill up in Cavaso del Tomba before you start, though Rifugio Bassano at the top has a full cafe.
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.
Pizzeria Tennis Basso (Via San Pio X, 241), open since 1977 and still family-run, is this route's Brevetto del Grappa stamping stop - a straightforward pizzeria with an attached tennis court and free parking, an easy landmark for staging the climb.
Cavaso del Tomba is a quiet town rather than a tourist base; Bassano del Grappa or Asolo, both a short drive away, have the fuller range of hotels and restaurants if you're building a multi-day Monte Grappa trip.
With Fietta, Possagno, Pederobba, and Alano all starting nearby on this same eastern face of the mountain, a rider based in the area could realistically tackle several of Monte Grappa's eleven ascents without changing hotels - our Routes in the Area tool is a good way to see what else is within reach.
All eleven routes finish at Rifugio Bassano, just below the Sacrario del Monte Grappa ossuary; see our Crespano ascent for the fuller history of that WWI memorial.
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