27.9
PDI
12.7 mi
DISTANCE
4,525 ft
GAINED
6.7 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Monte Bondone rises above Trento in Trentino-Alto Adige, and the Aldeno road is one of two main paved approaches to its high plateau. From Aldeno, a wine village in the Adige valley, the climb covers 20.4 km (12.7 mi) at an average grade of 6.7%, gaining 1,379 m (4,525 ft) to the mountain's plateau at 1,568 m (5,144 ft).
The road starts wide through vineyards and past Garniga Vecchia before narrowing into a single-lane forest road full of hairpins, with sustained pitches around 8-9% through the trees. It's a quieter, less-traveled way up the mountain than the busier road from Trento, joining that route higher up for the final approach to the Vason plateau.
Monte Bondone earned its place in cycling lore in the 1956 Giro d'Italia, when Charly Gaul rode through a full-blown snowstorm to win the mountaintop stage by eight minutes - of the 89 riders who started that day, only 29 finished. The mountain has been back in the Giro since (most recently a 2006 stage won by Ivan Basso), and it remains snow-free and rideable roughly from late spring through autumn.
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 Aldeno side of Monte Bondone averages 6.7% over 20.4 km (12.7 mi), gaining 1,379 m (4,525 ft) from Aldeno (201 m / 660 ft) to the mountain's plateau at 1,568 m (5,144 ft). The road starts gently through vineyards before Garniga Vecchia, then narrows and steepens into the forest, where sustained pitches run 8-9% through a long series of hairpins. The grade eases somewhat in the final kilometers as the road joins the busier route up from Trento near the Vason plateau.
Roadway: The road is paved the entire way, wide and well-maintained through the vineyards up to Garniga Vecchia, then narrowing to a single lane with less consistent pavement through the forest above - rider reports describe some rough patches in this section, though nothing that requires more than road tires. The climb is typically rideable from late spring through autumn and closed by snow in winter.
Traffic: Traffic is light throughout, noticeably lighter than the more direct road up from Trento. Expect a handful of local cars through Garniga Vecchia and occasional traffic near the top where the two routes merge.
Parking: Aldeno has parking near the village center and the Cantina Aldeno winery for riders starting there. There's no dedicated lot partway up, but the Vason plateau at the top has ample parking for the ski area and hiking trailheads.
Aldeno has a few cafes and shops for a pre-ride stop, plus Cantina Aldeno, the village's cooperative winery, if you want to bring something back for after the ride. There's little to nothing in the way of services between Garniga Vecchia and the summit, so carry what you need for the climb. Vason, at the top, has restaurants and a ski-area base with more reliable options once you arrive.
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.
Aldeno is a genuine wine village - Cantina Aldeno has been producing here since 1910, and it's a worthwhile stop if you have time before or after the ride. For a deeper look at Trento itself, our page for the classic Monte Bondone climb from Trento covers the city's historic center and castle in more depth; both roads share the same summit, so combining them into a there-and-back-a-different-way loop is a popular option. The climb suits late spring through autumn best, and our Weather tool is worth checking before you go, since Vason sits high enough to see very different conditions than the valley floor.
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