60.2
PDI
5.5 mi
DISTANCE
4,737 ft
GAINED
16.7 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Jiri Fikejz, Choceň, Pardubický kraj, Česká republika
INTRO
Pozza San Glisente translates to "sandy slippery", but it should be called ripido e impossibile (steep and impossible)! This is the hardest bike climb in Italy and the fifth hardest bike climb in the entire world. Only 6 cyclists have climbed this monster according to the Strava segment for it. This is an epic climb that should be on every serious bike climbing cyclist's must-do list.
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. See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
Roadway: This is an extremely narrow roadway. The majority of the route is paved with no center line or shoulder and in fair condition with debris. The last couple of kilometers is paved narrow strips where the tires of a car would run with dirt or weeds in between and the final segment is large rock and dirt in a rough cobblestone arrangement. This climb can be done on a road bike but is best suited for a gravel bike.
Traffic: Minimal, but be careful on tight turns for descending vehicles because the roadway is extremely narrow.
Parking: There is a spot for 2-3 vehicles at a trial head 180 meters up the road from the start - Map; Street View.
Provisions: There are no locations for food or water on this route. There are many places to get food and beverages in Esine just to the northeast of where our climb begins.
Gear: This is an almost impossible bike climb. If you try this on a road bike, be sure to use a bike with gearing to fit your ability, or a mountain bike with small chainring and large cassette.
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.
We suggest you include this climb (if you are up to the challenge 👍) in a trip to the magnificent cycle climbing area of Bormio - see PJAMM Cycling Bormio, Italy climb page; the start of Pozza San Glisente is only about 100 kilometers from Bormio - Route Map.
ROUTE MAP
MEMBER RATING
CURRENT WEATHER
PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES
Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure.
NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY
FROM No Climbs Found
MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS
Let us know what you thought of this climb. Signup for our FREE membership to write a review or post a comment.
Already have an account?
LOG IN HERE
ayale
I just did this on a Sunday, and I can’t imagine it’s the ideal time to do it. There were a lot of people driving to recreational areas up this road. I even encountered a couple logging trucks but I imagine that can happen on any day.
I can’t promise that a weekday would be any better…
The climb was awesome, and the sustained extreme grades are a thing to experience. While the road surface is challenging, it does seem to be maintained in some ways…it is certainly not crumbling.
The finish is at a farm and they allowed me to sit on their bench and be exhausted for a while.
