31.1
PDI
15.5 mi
DISTANCE
5,359 ft
GAINED
5.9 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Luke Hise, AZ
INTRO
Cismon is the westernmost of Monte Grappa's eleven paved ascents, and at 15.4 miles (24.9 km) with 5,359 feet (1,634 m) of gain to the Cima Grappa summit, it's also the longest. The 5.9% average grade is the mildest of any route on the mountain, but don't mistake that for easy - the climb still has a steepest kilometer averaging roughly 13.3% around the halfway point.
The opening miles wind through 12 numbered switchbacks over the first 5 miles (8 km), with striking views of the dolomite-like granite walls that border the town of Cismon del Grappa. Cismon is one of only two Monte Grappa approaches (with the all-gravel Crespano route) that leaves pavement at all - here it's brief, two stretches of 400 and 550 meters between roughly mile 8 and 10, both manageable on a road bike with wider tires.
Cismon merges with the Caupo route near mile 9.9 (km 16), Seren joins at Ristorante Forcelletto around mile 11.3 (km 18.2), and Romano d'Ezzelino enters near mile 14.7 (km 23.6) before all routes converge for the final push to Rifugio Bassano. Like every Monte Grappa ascent, the finish sits just below the Sacrario del Monte Grappa, the WWI ossuary for roughly 22,000 soldiers; see our Crespano ascent for its fuller history.
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. Cismon's 5.9% average is the mildest of Monte Grappa's eleven ascents, but the climb is long enough (15.4 miles) that the mild average still adds up to 5,359 feet of gain. The grade builds gradually through the lower switchbacks before the steepest stretch of the whole route, a kilometer averaging roughly 13.3%, arrives around the halfway point near km 9.9. Beyond that steepest kilometer, the remaining miles to the summit settle into a more moderate, rolling grade with no other single stretch nearly as demanding - a different profile than the brutal, front-loaded openings on Monte Grappa's eastern and southern approaches.
Roadway: Paved for nearly the entire 15.4 miles, with two short unpaved stretches - about 400 and 550 meters - between roughly mile 8 and 10; both are compact and manageable on a road bike with wider tires. We found no confirmed 2026 closures on this approach; check Provincia di Vicenza's road alerts before a trip, as with any Monte Grappa ascent.
Traffic: Light through the lower switchbacks and the wooded middle miles, picking up modestly at each merge point - with Caupo near mile 9.9, Seren at Ristorante Forcelletto near mile 11.3, and Romano d'Ezzelino near mile 14.7 - before the final common stretch into Rifugio Bassano, where cyclists regularly outnumber cars.
Parking: Cismon del Grappa is a small village at the western base of the mountain; informal street parking is available near the start on Via Roma. Birreria Bruschetteria Nazionale 67.5, on Via Vittorio Veneto a short walk from the start, is this route's Brevetto del Grappa stamping stop and a useful landmark.
Standard road bike gearing works for most of Cismon's climb, but bring at least a 28mm tire (25mm is the minimum that's been used successfully) to handle the two brief gravel sections between miles 8 and 10 comfortably.
This is the "mildest" average grade of any Monte Grappa approach, so it suits riders who want the summit without the eastern and southern routes' brutal opening pitches.
Fill bottles in Cismon before starting - we found no confirmed water sources along the route until Rifugio Bassano's cafe at the top. Cooler temperatures at the roughly 5,300-foot summit are worth a light layer, even in summer.
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.
Birreria Bruschetteria Nazionale 67.5 (Via Vittorio Veneto 8), open daily except Monday, is this route's Brevetto del Grappa stamping stop and a solid spot to fuel up before tackling the mountain's longest ascent.
Cismon del Grappa sits in Provincia di Vicenza, on the opposite side of the mountain from most of Monte Grappa's other approaches, which makes it a natural pairing with the northern Caupo and Seren routes if you're spending a few days working through the eleven ascents.
Our Weather tool is worth checking before you go, since this route's two gravel stretches turn considerably messier in wet conditions.
All eleven routes finish together at Rifugio Bassano, just below the Sacrario del Monte Grappa; see our Crespano ascent for more on that WWI memorial.
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