24.3
PDI
20.2 mi
DISTANCE
5,052 ft
GAINED
4.5 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
This is SS 289 from the very beginning: a 32.6 km (20.2 mi) climb from the state road's junction with the coastal SS 113 at Oliveto, between Acquedolci and Sant'Agata di Militello, to Portella Femmina Morta in the heart of Sicily's Nebrodi Mountains. It gains 1,540 m (5,052 ft) at a 4.5% average, finishing at 1,531 m (5,023 ft) - the highest pass crossed by a state road anywhere in Sicily.
The grade is almost metronomic - nearly every kilometer sits between 4% and 6% - so this is a climb about rhythm and patience rather than punchy ramps. The first 7.5 km follow SS 289's own lower section, a gentler and more gradual start than the steep opening out of Acquedolci town used by our SS 289 (Acquedolci) page, before the two routes merge. From there the road climbs through the hill town of San Fratello, founded by northern Italian settlers in the Norman era and still home to its own Gallo-Italic dialect, then into the quiet forests of Parco dei Nebrodi.
At the top, Portella Femmina Morta marks the turnoff for the paved road to Monte Soro, at 1,847 m the highest summit in the Nebrodi. The 2017 Giro d'Italia crossed the pass from this north side on Stage 4, rating the climb at 32.8 km averaging 4.5% - figures that line up almost exactly with this full-length route - before descending toward Bronte and finishing on Mount Etna.
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. From 58 m (189 ft) at the coast to 1,531 m (5,023 ft) at Portella Femmina Morta, SS 289 covers 32.6 km (20.2 mi) and gains 1,540 m (5,052 ft) at a 4.5% average, with about 66 m (218 ft) of descending along the way.
Consistency is the defining feature. The opening 13 km, up to San Fratello, hold steady at 4-5% almost without a break. Beyond the town the grade eases to 2-3% for a couple of kilometers and flattens out completely around km 18, near the Tre Re pass (782 m) - the best place on the climb to recover. The final 14 km are the most sustained, sitting mostly between 4.5% and 6.5% nearly the entire way before easing over the last kilometer and a half.
The steepest kilometer averages 7.6%, the steepest mile 6.3%, the steepest 2 km 6.3%, and the steepest 5 km 5.7%.
Roadway: SS 289 is an ANAS-managed state road, paved the entire way from the SS 113 junction to Portella Femmina Morta. Around km 13 the route runs right through the streets of San Fratello before climbing on into the park. We found no active closures or roadworks on this stretch as of September 2026, but the upper road does see snow in winter, so check ANAS's Sicily road notices before a cold-season ride.
Traffic: Expect more cars near the coast, where the climb begins right off the busy SS 113, and through San Fratello's town streets. Above the town, traffic thins considerably as the road climbs into sparsely populated park land.
Parking: Sant'Agata di Militello, just east of the start, is the largest town on this stretch of coast, with the most services and parking options, and it's on the Palermo-Messina railway line if you're arriving by train. Acquedolci's seafront, described on our SS 289 (Acquedolci) page, is the other nearby option.
Gear: The gradients never get severe - the steepest kilometer is 7.6% - so standard compact gearing is plenty. The bigger challenge is duration and temperature: you'll start near sea level, often in real Sicilian heat, and finish above 1,500 m where it can be much cooler, so pack a vest or light jacket for the long descent.
Provisions: Stock up on the coast or in San Fratello, about 13 km into the climb - it has shops and bars and is the last town on the route. Above it, the road crosses open park land with no reliable services all the way to Portella Femmina Morta.
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 Fratello is the cultural highlight of the route. Founded by settlers from northern Italy during the Norman period, it's one of Sicily's "Lombard" towns, where many locals still speak a Gallo-Italic dialect that's largely unintelligible to other Sicilians. During Holy Week the town stages the Festa dei Giudei, a centuries-old ritual in which costumed "Giudei" in vivid red and yellow take over the streets from Wednesday to Good Friday - if your trip falls around Easter, it's worth timing your ride to see it.
From the summit, the paved spur to Monte Soro makes a worthwhile out-and-back extension, and walking trails from Portella Femmina Morta lead to the mountain lakes of Maulazzo and Biviere. Back on the coast, Sant'Agata di Militello's Castello Gallego houses the Museo Etnoantropologico dei Nebrodi, a good rainy-day introduction to the mountains you just climbed.
Conditions at the pass can be very different from the coast, especially outside summer - check current conditions before you go with our Weather tool.
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