35.8
PDI
6.4 mi
DISTANCE
3,891 ft
GAINED
11.5 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Bocca di Forca is the brutal first half of the climb from Possagno to Cima Grappa, a legendary Giro d'Italia summit finish in Italy's Veneto region. From Possagno at just under 900 feet, the road climbs 6.4 miles and gains 3,891 feet at a punishing 11.5% average grade to the Bocca di Forca saddle at 4,747 feet - by itself one of the steepest sustained climbs in the country, and the hardest section of the full 12.7-mile route to the summit.
The narrow road climbs through forested slopes above Possagno, passing local landmarks like Salto della Capra ("jump of the goat") on the way up. Grade and surface both vary constantly - stretches in the high teens are common, and the steepest kilometer averages close to 20%. After the first couple of miles the road tightens into deep tree cover for several miles, quiet and shaded, before opening up again near Bocca di Forca.
Possagno is the birthplace of sculptor Antonio Canova, whose Tempio Canoviano (modeled on the Pantheon) dominates the skyline. Monte Grappa carries heavier history too - its summit holds a WWI memorial with the remains of 23,000 soldiers, and the mountain has been a recurring, decisive Giro d'Italia summit finish. Riders wanting the complete experience continue past Bocca di Forca for the climb's second half to Cima Grappa.
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. This is one of the steepest sustained climbs in Italy, and the numbers back it up: the 6.4-mile route averages 11.5%, but that average hides big swings. The steepest quarter-mile touches 21.0%, the steepest half-mile holds 17.8%, and the steepest full mile averages 17.0% - concentrated in a brutal middle stretch where the grade can swing from 7% to 20%+ within a few hundred meters. The single hardest section is a full kilometer that averages close to 20%, roughly two-thirds of the way up. There's no real recovery section until the grade finally eases near Bocca di Forca itself.
Roadway: The road is paved throughout but narrow, and surface quality is inconsistent - expect patched asphalt, occasional debris (branches, loose stones), and potholes in places, especially through the several miles of dense forest cover in the middle of the climb. Grades change abruptly and often, swinging from single digits to 20%+ within just a few hundred meters, so this isn't a climb to zone out on. The upper roads on Monte Grappa, including sections that connect to this route near the top, see routine seasonal closures for snow and weather, typically from late autumn through spring - this is a summer/warm-season ride.
Traffic: Generally light. This is a narrow, quiet secondary road rather than a main route up Monte Grappa, and it sees far more cyclists than cars for most of the year. Take normal care on the narrow, wooded sections with limited sightlines.
Parking: There's no dedicated cycling lot at the start. Riders typically park in Possagno itself, near the T-intersection of Contrada Vardanega and SP 26 where the climb begins.
Given the sustained double-digit grade with pitches well into the high teens, low gearing is essential - a compact crank with a wide-range cassette (34x30 or lower) is worth having unless you're a strong climber. There are no services on the climb itself once you leave Possagno, so carry enough water and food for the effort; the town has basic shops and cafes before you start.
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.
Possagno is the birthplace of Antonio Canova, and it's worth a stop before or after the ride to see the Tempio Canoviano, the Neoclassical temple he designed himself, along with the Gipsoteca museum housing his original sculpture models. If you continue past Bocca di Forca to the full summit at Cima Grappa, the mountain's WWI military memorial - one of the largest ossuaries from the war, holding the remains of 23,000 soldiers - is a moving stop worth the extra effort. The upper Monte Grappa roads close seasonally for snow, typically from late autumn through spring, so this is best ridden in the warmer months. With several other routes up Monte Grappa nearby, our Routes in the Area tool is a good way to compare approaches before you go.
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