Italy Monte Crostis
Monte Crostis Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

39.1
PDI
8.2 mi
DISTANCE
4,488 ft
GAINED
10.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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INTRO

Monte Crostis is a 13.2 km (8.2 mi) climb out of Comeglians, in the Carnic Alps of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, gaining 1,368 m (4,488 ft) at a punishing 10.4% average grade with zero net descent - this route is all climb, with over 30 tornanti (hairpins) along the way.

Two-fifths of the climb sits between 5-10%, and well over half is 10-15%, with the steepest kilometer averaging 14.2%. What the numbers don't fully capture is the setting: the road climbs through dense Carnic forest before opening onto sweeping views of the surrounding peaks near the top.

Monte Crostis has come closer than any other Italian climb to a Giro d'Italia stage without ever actually hosting one. Riding the wave of the Zoncolan's legendary 2010 stage, race director Enzo Cainero built a 2011 stage around Crostis and the spectacular, high-altitude Panoramica delle Vette ridge road nearby - only to have it scrapped the night before the stage, after rider deaths elsewhere in that Giro and safety concerns about the exposed, guardrail-free dirt road at altitude. Cainero kept pushing for a rematch for over a decade; a fresh effort picked up again in 2024, in his memory, aiming for a return in the 2026 Giro - but organizers chose Piancavallo for Friuli's mountain finale instead, so Monte Crostis remains, for now, the greatest climb never included in the Giro.

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10.4% average grade with a whopping 1,374 meters gained in 13.3 kilometers and 0 descent.  This route is ALL climb - 40% is at 5-10% and 56% is at 10-15%.  The steepest 500 meters is 14.7% and steepest kilometer 14.3%.  

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.


Roadway:  Except for the first several kilometers out of Comeglians, this is a narrow, one-lane road with no shoulder. Current (2025) rider reports describe the asphalt as rough in places but still manageable on a road bike - consistent with how this climb has ridden for years. Beyond the summit, the road continues as the "Panoramica delle Vette," a spectacular but unpaved ridge route toward Ravascletto - that stretch is not part of this climb and not recommended on a road bike.

Traffic:  Minimal.

Parking:  Just across the bridge at the start of the climb - Map;  Street View. 
Provisions:  None along the route, but Rifugio Chiadinas at the top is open daily in summer (roughly June through October, weather permitting) and we recommend it - nice views, hospitality, and sandwiches.
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This climb is only five kilometers north of the cycling hub of Ovaro (Map) where you can climb the three routes to Monte Zoncolan, and one of Italy's hardest bike climbs, Passo della Forcella (#48 World).  You are also just south of some amazing Austrian top 100 bike climbs.  Use the "Routes in Area" button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area.

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CLIMB SUMMARY

Monte Crostis

Monte Crostis is a fantastic climb that has come closer than any other climb in Italy to having a date with the Giro only to be stood up at the last minute, as occurred in 2011. We summarize the disrespect shown this jewell later in the summary, but first, the good stuff!!  

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                            [All dressed up and no place to go!]

What a climb - nothing more need be said and you can skip to the slideshow for the explanation.  While surrounded by lush ground cover and forest as we climb, we also see many exceptional views of the Dolomites formations over the last third of the climb.  Within the first 2.5 miles/ 4 km we pass through the quaint

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Villages of Mieli and Tualis.  Along the way we have constant reminders of promises made/promises broken.  For example, there are Giro kilometer markers along the way, probably put in place in anticipation of the 2011 Giro (see KM Marker slideshow at bottom of page).  There are also Giro flags and monuments (metal bike in Tualis and monument at the summit - see slideshow).

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[The Envelope please . . . and the winner for “Did not get memo in time “ is . . . .

Regardless of the disrespect shown this amazing Dolomites specimen, it is the #7 Ranked Climb by Fiets in Italy.  Why?  Well, within only 8.2 miles/13.2 kilometers we climb a whopping 4,485’/1,367m at a brutal 10.8% average grade - Monte Crostis has earned its “I am a Bad-Ass badge!”

Roadway condition and traffic:  The roadway throughout narrows to essentially one lane at around 3.5 miles.  There is very little traffic on this route and we always felt safe throughout our ascent.

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[Did we mention the road narrows a bit towards the top . . . note - that is NOT a wide car! ]

Steepest Gradients by Distance

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Giro History

Now, while we have banged on the Giro for  throwing Monte Crostis under the bus at the last minute, it was at least initially included in the approved pre-race routes.  So, unlike many others who would die for the chance, our heroine has not only made it onto the “A” list but was at the dance when the music started.  However, sadly, when her turn came to show her stuff - rejection slapped its dolomite noggin.  Ahh, the indignity!  And yet, some say making it to the dance is better than not being asked at all, and that Monte Crostis is better for having made the big leagues and rode the pine than never been chosen by the Big Club!.  Regardless, it’s a heck of a shame.

2011:  Although much effort had gone into safety measures to protect riders on the hazardous descent from the summit down the backside (northern) into Ravascletto, Monte Crostis was eliminated from the Giro by the UCI the night before it was to burst onto the cycling world as the spectacular mountain it was (and is!).  Likely the decision was made out of extreme deference to the safety of the riders after Wouter Weylandt died on Stage 3 while descending Passo del Bocco.

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"To the tour of Italy and to the many cyclists who honor him

with commitment and sacrifice, enthusing entire generations of

athletes, who are grateful to bring the world to the Crostis and the Peak Overview."

There are photo ops along the way and “the metal bike” in Tualis is one of many!

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The Dolomites are only 25 miles / 40 km as the crow flies (60 miles / 100km by car) - see Map.   And, the start of Monte Crostis is only 4 miles from that of Zoncolan from Ovaro.  In other words, an amazing climbing area!