Monte Zoncolan (Ovaro) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

35.6
PDI
6.2 mi
DISTANCE
3,771 ft
GAINED
11.7 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

Cycling Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro - World Bike Climb #45, one of the most difficult climbs in Italy and the world. The bike climb from Ovaro is the most popular of the three routes to Monte Zoncolan and is one of the most famous of Italian bike climbs. This is the only climb in the world we are aware of with informational posters of professional cyclists who have done special things on its mountain during a Grand Tour (see Full Summary for photos of each kilometer sign). 
Zoncolan is ALL about gradient!  Ride 9.9 kilometers gaining 1,157 meters at 11.8% average grade.  46% of the climb is at 10-15%, 22% at 15-20% and 1% at ≥ 20%.  The steepest 500 meters is 18.2% and steepest kilometer 16.9%.

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

Roadway:  Narrow 2 lane pave road in excellent condition.  Trees are cut along the roadway so film crews in helicopters have a better view of cyclists on the Giro. 

Traffic:  Mild.

Parking:  There is not a lot of parking in Ovaro.  Try the one public parking lot in town just before the turn off to the climb start - MapStreet View. If that is not available, try the Parrocchia della SS. Trinità  on the hill 500 meters from climb start (unless you are starting your climb Saturday evening or Sunday morning) - Map; Street View
Provisions:  There will likely be a water cart with some memorabilia, water and snacks at the parking lot at the top of the climb. 

Gear:  This is one of the steepest bike climbs you are likely ever to encounter.  Do bring the gearing that fits your ability. 


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.
Seriously consider riding the other two routes up to the summit, particularly Monte Zoncolan (Priola) which is truly an epic climb.  Also consider riding to Passo della Forcella 2 kilometers north and riding that 9 kilometer 14.4% World #12 climb. 

Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar above to see other bike climbs in this area.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Extreme
4
Road
5
Traffic
4
Scenery

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May 8, 2024
Accommodation near the base of the climb( line very close) September 2024. Any suggestions? When I contacted some providers they seemed either not interested or deliberately expensive
Nov 16, 2022
difficulty: Extreme
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 4
Nov 16, 2022
scenery: 4
traffic: 5
road: 4
This climb is sustained for long stretches at 14% plus. Gearing is critical. Taking the easier stretches (10%) slowly is life saving. My computer was constantly shutting off due to going slower than 3mph! If you have the legs descend the other side to the valley bottom, turn around and do the double. I wore out brand new brake pads in a single day!
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Monte Zoncolan - Zoncolan arch in Ovaro 

 Arch over the start of the MIGHTY and merciless Zoncolan!  

Ovaro, Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region.

Climb summary by PJAMM’s John Johnson.

Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro bike climb - cyclist reaching the pass

Summit -- PJAMM reaching the pass from Ovaro.

OUCH!!!  After Scanuppia, the Monte Zoncolan bicycle climb (from Ovaro and Priola) may be the most difficult (at least the most painful) of climbs in all of Italy.  No wonder it has only been included in the Giro six times!  But, the Giro returns to Monte Zoncolan with a mountain top finish on May 22, 2021 (stage 14) from the Sutrio side of the summit (PJAMM Cycling Monte Zoncolan from Sutrio)

Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro.

Ride 9.9 kilometers gaining 1,157 meters at 11.8% average grade.

2021 GIRO D’ITALIA

PJAMM CYCLING’S 2021 GIRO PAGE

After a 2 year hiatus, the Giro d’Italia returns to Monte Zoncolan May 22, 2021 for a Stage 14 mountaintop finish.  However, while the traditional route up Zoncolan is from Ovaro, the Giro features the mountain from the Sutrio side in 2021.

Below is a table from Wikipedia showing the previous 6 Giro d’Italia appearances for Monte Zoncolan in the Giro:

Year

Stage

Winner

Side

2003

12

Gilberto Simoni (ITA)

Sutrio

2007

17

Gilberto Simoni (ITA)

Ovaro

2010

15

 Ivan Basso (ITA)

Ovaro

2011

14

Igor Antón (ESP)

Ovaro

2014

20

Michael Rogers (AUS)

Ovaro

2018

14

Chris Froome (GBR)

Ovaro

There are three routes up Zoncolan, two of which (Ovaro and Priola) are beasts -- murderous, punishing ascents.  The third, Sutrio, is quite manageable and a “pleasant” climb up the mountain, until its fatal intersection with “The Old Road” from Priola, and thence we spend 2.1 miles / 3.3 km at a punishing 12.7% average grade.  

bike climb of Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro - start of climb - town, buildings, road and sign

Pass through Liariis at kilometer 1.6,

400 meters from here the climb begins in earnest.

Bring your climbing legs for this extraordinary road bike climb -- Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro is the thirteenth most difficult climb in Italy (which is saying something, as Italy is home to an unbelievable 26 of the World Top 100 bike climbs, more than any other country!).  Monte Zoncolan is also the and #52 most difficult climb in the world. This is also the tornanti (hairpin) route up to the pass, with roughly 24 hairpins in the brief 9.9 km / 6.2 miles we are on the mountain.

Cycling Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro - aerial drone photo of hairpins (tornante)

24 tornanti (hairpins).

Traffic and Roadway Surface Report: The roadway is in excellent condition along this climb, and there is generally not much traffic on it.  Keep in mind that there are three fairly short but dark tunnels near the top, so be sure to bring lights for your climb.  

File:Achtung.svg Tunnel - Bring flashing taillights and a high lumen headlight. File:Achtung.svg

Cycling Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro tunnel with cyclist riding in it.

Cycling Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro tunnel with trees in background and giro paint on ground   

There are three tunnels at the top of Zoncolan from Ovaro, and,

while they are fairly short you should bring lights to be safe.

 

Below are all of the kilometer signs on the Monte Zoncolan climb.  If a year for a Grand Tour is listed, that means the rider won the event that year, unless specified otherwise (e.g., if he was KOM).

Ottavio Bottecchia (IT; Winner TdF 1924-1925); Alfredo Binda (IT; Giro d’Italia 1925, 1926, 1928-1929, 1933; World Road Race Champion 1927, 1930, 1932).

Photos clockwise from top left:  Louison Bobet (FR; TdF 1953-1955); Charly Gaul (LU;  Giro 1956, 1959, KOM 1956, 1959;; TdF  1958, KOM 1955-1956); Federico Bahamontes (ES; TdF 1959); Jacques Anquetil (FR; TdF 1957, 1961-1964; Giro 1960, 1964); Felice Gimondi (IT; TdF 1965; Giro 1967, 1969, 1976; Vuelta 1968; world champion 1973); Eddy Merckx (BE; not enough room for all of his accomplishments  🏆🏆🏆🏆, etc. - but . . . some of them:  TdF 1969-1972, 1974; Giro 1968, 1970, 1972-74; Vuelta 1973; hour record 1972); Francesco Moser IT; Giro 1984; World Champion 1977); The Badger (FR; TdF 1978-1979, 1981-1982, 1985; Giro 1980, 1982, 1985; Vuelta 1978, 1983; World Champion 1980).

 Giuseppe Saronni (IT; Giro 1979, 1983); Gianni Bugno (IT; Giro 1990; World Champion 1991-1992); Miguel Indurain (ES; TdF 1991-1995; Giro 1992-1993; Olympic Gold 1996); Marco Pantani (IT; TdF 1998; Giro 1998); Fiorenzo Magni (IT; #1 Greatest cycling photo of all time  👍👍; Giro 1948, 1951, 1955); Gino Bartali (IT; TdF 1938, 1948; Giro 1936-1937, 1946); Fausto Coppi (IT; TdF 1949, 1952; Giro 1947, 1949, 1952-53); Gilberto Simoni (IT; Giro 2001, 2003).

Franco Ballerini (IT; Paris-Roubaix 1995, 1998; Coach Italian National Cycling Team from 2001 until his death in 2010); Gilberto Simoni (IT; Giro 2001, 2003).

Wikipedia provides an excellent summary of the three Zoncolan ascents:

The mountain can be climbed on three roads: One from Ovaro, another from Sutrio, and a third from Priola.  


West from Ovaro: This is a very demanding climb, and one of the most difficult in Europe, usually compared to the Alto de El Angliru. It was featured for the first time in the 2007 Giro d'Italia. The climb starts in Ovaro in the Gorto valley, and is 10.1 kilometres (6.3 mi) long at an average of 11.9% with an elevation gain of 1,210 metres (3,970 ft) and a maximum gradient of 22%. The real climb however starts at Liariis, 8.5 kilometres (5.3 mi) from the summit. Shortly after the village, the road disappears into forest and gains 900 metres (3,000 ft) in the next 6 kilometres (3.7 mi), averaging thus 15%. After this section, the road passes through three short tunnels, before a series of steep switchbacks immediately beneath the summit. The former rough asphalt between Liariis and the tunnels was replaced in 2007; that between the last tunnel and the summit had already been resurfaced by autumn 2005. The tunnels are now lit.”

Cycling Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro - cyclist below riding on road over giro d'italia paint

Plenty of evidence of the Giro on the climb.

Bicycle ride of Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro - cyclist passing roadway sign

Tunnel lower middle of photo, and hairpins leading to the pass top right-center of photo.

Final approach to the summit.

Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro bicycle climb - pjamm cyclist at the pass sign with bike

Photo from PJAMM’s 2018 European Cycling Adventure (23 countries in 4½ months).