24.8
PDI
14.4 mi
DISTANCE
4,400 ft
GAINED
5.6 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Goletto di Cadino is a long, quiet alpine crossing in the Brescia Prealps of Lombardy, climbing out of the medieval village of Bagolino in Val Sabbia and topping out on a windswept saddle just above the Passo di Croce Domini, at roughly 1,938 m (6,358 ft). PJAMM's route from Bagolino runs 23.1 km (14.4 mi) with 1,341 m (4,400 ft) of gain, averaging 5.8% - a long day in the saddle rather than a short, brutal one.
The road eases out of town before settling into a steady rhythm through Val Dorizzo and the hamlet of Gaver, where the grade tightens into a real climb - the steepest 100 meters, in the switchbacks above Gaver, average around 12.5%. Past Gaver the valley opens into high alpine pasture, and the final kilometers up to Passo di Croce Domini and on to the Goletto are some of the most scenic in the Brescia Alps, with sweeping views back down Val Sabbia and, on a clear day, across to the Adamello group.
The pass carried the Giro d'Italia through in 2022, when Stage 16 from Salò to Aprica used the Bagolino side as its first categorized climb of the day. Like most high passes in this corner of the Alps, the road that continues over the top typically closes to traffic from November into May, reopening in stages each spring as crews clear snow.
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. Our GPX data puts this climb at 23.1 km (14.4 mi) with 1341 m (4,400 ft) of elevation gain, averaging 5.8% from Bagolino to the Goletto di Cadino saddle at roughly 1938 m (6,358 ft). The grade is uneven - an easy opening spins out along the valley floor before the road tightens into switchbacks above Gaver, where the steepest 100 meters average around 12.5%. The final stretch above Passo di Croce Domini eases back off before one last short push to the true summit.
Roadway: The road is paved the entire way from Bagolino to the Passo di Croce Domini/Goletto di Cadino summit and is in good condition through Gaver and the high pastures above, though it narrows and gets more exposed to weather past Val Dorizzo. This is a genuine high alpine pass - like its neighbors in the Brescia Prealps, it typically closes to traffic from November into May and reopens gradually each spring as crews clear snow, so check the Provincia di Brescia's pass-status page before planning an early- or late-season trip.
Traffic: Light to moderate through Bagolino and the lower valley, dropping off noticeably past Gaver, where the road mostly serves hikers, mountain bikers, and the small local ski area rather than through traffic - Croce Domini doesn't connect to any major through-route on the far side, so it never sees the truck traffic of a true Alpine crossing.
Parking: Bagolino is a small medieval village with limited but manageable roadside parking near the town center, right where the climb effectively begins; it isn't a resort town, so day parking is generally easy to find outside of local festivals. Riders can also start higher, near Gaver, where there's informal parking near the ski lifts if you'd rather trim a few kilometers off the bottom.
Provisions: Bagolino has cafes, a bakery, and small grocery shops at the base to fuel up before starting. Options thin out quickly above town - Gaver has some seasonal facilities tied to the ski area, and the Rifugio Passo Crocedomini, just below the true summit, serves food and drinks when it's open, but don't count on it outside of summer weekends.
Weather and Gear: You'll gain over 1300 m (4,400 ft) by the finish at nearly 1940 m, so pack a windproof layer even on a warm Val Sabbia morning - the exposed ridge near Croce Domini catches wind and runs noticeably colder than the 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.
Bagolino itself is worth a slow lap before or after the ride - it's one of Italy's officially recognized "Borghi piu belli d'Italia" (most beautiful villages), with a well-preserved medieval center that's easy to miss if you're only passing through for the climb. If you're staying in the area, Lago d'Idro is a short drive south and makes a scenic base with more lodging options than Bagolino itself. Because Passo di Croce Domini and the Goletto sit above 1,900 m, conditions at the summit can differ sharply from the valley floor even in midsummer - check current conditions before you go with our Weather tool.
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