36.1
PDI
8.3 mi
DISTANCE
4,357 ft
GAINED
10 %
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 average grade is 10.0% over 8.3 miles, and it's an honest 10% - there's no long flat section anywhere to hide from it.
The steepest quarter-mile averages 13.2%, and the steepest half-mile sits at 12.5%. Riders consistently describe a demanding early section past Malga Zures with pitches into the mid-teens, a slightly gentler rolling middle, and a genuinely hard finish with ramps reported in the high teens and beyond - pace yourself, because this climb doesn't let up for long.
Roadway: The road is paved the entire way to where this climb officially ends. It's narrow in stretches, with close to 30 hairpin turns, and runs through vineyards lower down before entering shaded forest higher up. Past this climb's endpoint, the road continues as a rough dirt track toward the true summit of Monte Varagna - fine for a gravel or mountain bike, not recommended on a road bike.
Traffic: Traffic is light - this is a quiet back road with little through-traffic, mostly used by locals, hikers, and other cyclists. Riders consistently report only a handful of cars over a full climb.
Parking: Most riders start in Nago, which has street parking near the town center. There's nothing resembling a trailhead lot partway up, so Nago is the practical starting point.
Bring low gearing - this is rated among the hardest paved climbs in the area, with sustained double-digit pitches and reported ramps in the high teens near the top. A compact crank with a wide-range cassette, or a gravel-style setup with an even lower gear, will make the steepest sections far more manageable.
There is no water, food, or services anywhere on the mountain - the last real provisions are in Nago or Torbole before you start. Carry everything you'll need for the full round trip.
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.
This is a shaded climb for most of its length, which helps on a hot Lake Garda summer day, but it also means a cold, fast descent - pack a layer for the way down even if you started out warm.
Monte Varagna sits above one of Italy's most popular cycling and lake-sports destinations, so if you want to see what else is nearby, our Routes in the Area tool can point you to other climbs around Lake Garda and the Monte Baldo massif.
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