19.1
PDI
13.1 mi
DISTANCE
3,721 ft
GAINED
5.1 %
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. The climb covers 21.0 km (13.1 mi) and gains 1,134 m (3,721 ft) at a 5.1% average, but that average hides two very different halves.
From Fara Filiorum Petri the first 8 km are a long warm-up: 4.7% and 6.2% for the first two kilometers, then a run of 3-5% kilometers below Roccamontepiano. Between km 8 and 10 the road drops about 45 m (148 ft) toward Pretoro, the only descent of note.
The second half is the real climb. From km 10 the grade jumps to 8.1% and 8.9% for two kilometers, then stays between 6.3% and 7.6% almost all the way to the pass, apart from an easier kilometer at 4.6% (km 13-14) and an easing final kilometer at 4.8%. The steepest 0.5 km averages 9.8%, the steepest 1 km 9.1%, 2 km 8.5%, 5 km 7.3% and 10 km 7.1%. FIETS score: 5.7.
Roadway: Paved throughout. The first half follows local roads through the countryside of Fara Filiorum Petri and Roccamontepiano to Pretoro; from there the climb joins the SS 614 della Maielletta, the Anas state road that serves the ski area, and riders describe its asphalt as excellent. Snow can close the upper SS 614 at short notice - Anas has shut it between km 10 and 20 around Passo Lanciano for snow clearing and avalanche danger in past winters - so check Anas road notices between November and April.
Traffic: Light on the lower roads, which mostly carry local traffic between the hill villages. The SS 614 is busier, since it is the main road up to the ski area and the Majella trailheads - expect more cars on winter weekends and sunny summer weekends, and temporary closures when the Giro comes through.
Parking: Fara Filiorum Petri has roadside parking near the town center, a short roll from the start. Riders who only want the steeper SS 614 half can start from Pretoro instead, and there is a large parking area at the Passo Lanciano-Majelletta ski area at the top.
Provisions: Fill bottles in Fara Filiorum Petri. Pretoro, around the halfway point, is the last village before the pass, and services at the top depend on the ski area's season, so carry enough food and water for the full 21 km.
Gear: The grades never get extreme, so a compact crankset with a 28 tooth sprocket is plenty. The pass is more than 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above the start and mountain weather on the Majella can turn quickly, so carry a wind layer for the long descent.
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.
Fara Filiorum Petri is a small farming town whose white onion is recognized by Slow Food. In winter its big night is January 16: each district builds a towering bundle of reeds - a farchia - and carries it to the church in honor of Sant'Antonio Abate, and at nightfall they are all set alight.
Halfway up, Pretoro is a medieval village at the foot of the Majella with a wolf legend at its heart. Each May, on the feast of its patron San Domenico Abate, villagers stage the Lupo di Pretoro, a sacred re-enactment of the saint rescuing a child carried off by a wolf while its parents cut wood in the forest. The roles pass from father to son, and the rite is recognized as part of Italy's intangible cultural heritage. Look out too for the torta del lupo, a dark chocolate cake made with Montepulciano wine and dedicated to the village.
For airports, the coast and how to link the three roads up Blockhaus, see our Blockhaus (Fara Filiorum Petri) page. Use our Routes in the Area tool to see other climbs nearby or build a custom route from here.
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