18.5
PDI
13.9 mi
DISTANCE
3,776 ft
GAINED
4.7 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
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. San Mauro Castelverde is 22.4 km (13.9 mi) long and climbs 1,151 m (3,776 ft) at an average of 4.7%, from 17 m (56 ft) to 1,075 m (3,527 ft). It includes about 93 m (305 ft) of descent, almost all of it in the first 4 km (2.5 mi).
The opening 4 km (2.5 mi) are a warm-up: a short rise to about 90 m (295 ft), then a flat-to-slightly-downhill stretch along the river valley. The real climb starts around km 4 and is remarkably consistent, holding 5% to 6% almost every kilometer up to about 690 m (2,264 ft) at km 15. Kilometers 16 and 17 ease to about 4%, then the grade returns to around 5% before a final 2 km (1.2 mi) at about 7% to 7.5% through the upper village.
Steepest sections: 100 yards (91 m) at 15.1%, 0.5 km (0.3 mi) at 10.8%, 1 km (0.6 mi) at 8.7%, 2 km (1.2 mi) at 6.9% and 5 km (3.1 mi) at 5.8%.
Roadway: Paved the entire way on the SP52, the village's only access road, which has been the focus of several repair programs: a regional project to restore and secure the SP52 and SP60 began in 2022, safety work between Finale di Pollina and the Borrello junction was handed to a contractor in 2023, and in October 2025 a €15.2 million contract was awarded to stabilize the landslide-prone slope at Contrada Borrello, including rebuilding cracked retaining walls and resurfacing the road. Expect patched sections and possible worksites, and check with the Città Metropolitana di Palermo for current status.
Traffic: Light to moderate on the lower road, which also carries traffic heading inland on the SP60 toward Gangi and the Gole di Tiberio. Above the Borrello junction the road serves only San Mauro Castelverde and is quiet.
Parking: There is no dedicated lot at the bottom of the SP52. The seaside village of Finale di Pollina, a short way along the coast, is the practical place to leave a car, though it gets busy in high summer. In San Mauro itself, the narrow medieval streets are not suited to parking, so use spaces at the edge of the village.
Provisions: Stock up in Finale di Pollina before you start - there is little along the SP52 until you reach the village of San Mauro Castelverde at the top. The lower road is exposed and hot in summer, so start early and carry plenty of water.
Gear: Standard compact gearing is enough for the steady 5% to 6% grades. The top is more than 1,000 m (3,281 ft) above the start and noticeably cooler, so bring a layer for the long descent back to the sea.
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.
San Mauro Castelverde is a medieval village of narrow lanes and arches, with the ruins of its castle in the upper town. Its church of Santa Maria dei Franchi dates from the 1200s and was remodeled in the 1600s; inside are a statue of the Madonna del Soccorso dated 1480 and a marble altarpiece by Francesco Del Mastro of the Gagini school. The patron saint's church of San Mauro Abate is easy to spot by its bell tower topped with spheres of colorful glazed brick, and around ten painted sundials decorate facades around the village.
The village is known for its caciocavallo and ricotta and for olive oil from the local Crastu olive. For a rest day, the Gole di Tiberio, a 400 m (1,312 ft) gorge cut by the Pollina river, is reached from the Borrello junction on the SP60, with inflatable-boat trips from April to October; the village also runs a 1,600 m (5,249 ft) zipline. For more climbs on this side of the Madonie, try our Routes in the Area tool.
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