Piani Superiore from Tavagnasco Bike Climb | Cycling in Piemonte, Italy

Italy Piani Superiore from Tavagnasco

Piani Superiore from Tavagnasco Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

30.5

PDI

5.9 mi

DISTANCE

3,456 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

10.9 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

Piani Superiore from Tavagnasco is a short, brutally steep climb in the Piemonte region of northwest Italy, gaining 3,456 ft over just 5.9 miles for an 11.0% average grade. It's an obscure climb by Alpine standards, but a legitimate top-tier Italian test - roughly 30 tornanti (switchback turns) are packed into fewer than six miles, a concentration that tells you everything about how steep the mountainside is that this road climbs. There's no easing into this one. The road pitches up immediately out of Tavagnasco, averaging 13.3% for the first 0.7 miles, and a second steep ramp hits 13.8% starting around mile 1.4. In between and after, the road settles into a still-demanding rhythm through forested switchbacks with occasional breaks in the trees for views north across the Dora Baltea valley. Tavagnasco and this climb got a small moment in the spotlight as part of Stage 3 of the 2016 Giro Valle d'Aosta, but otherwise this stays well off the radar of most visiting cyclists. We wouldn't recommend crossing an ocean just to ride it, but it sits only about 35.0 miles from the start of the legendary Colle del Nivolet - so if you're already in the area chasing that climb, Piani Superiore is a worthwhile, quad-searing detour. See our Routes in the Area tool to find other climbs worth combining with this one.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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This climb averages 11.0% over 5.9 miles, with almost no flat or downhill sections to recover on - it's one steady grind punctuated by a couple of genuinely brutal ramps. The road pitches up right from the start in Tavagnasco, averaging 13.3% for the first 0.7 miles. After a slightly less severe middle section, a second hard ramp begins around mile 1.4 and averages 13.8%. Riders report short pitches that spike to 20% in a few of the tighter switchbacks near the top. With roughly 30 tornanti packed into under six miles, there's rarely a straightaway long enough to find a rhythm - most of the climb is spent working through tight, steep turns.

Roadway: The road is paved the entire way, a narrow two-lane mountain road that tightens further inside the many switchbacks. Surface quality has been good on our visits, typical of a lightly-used secondary road in this part of Piemonte - watch for gravel and leaf debris carried onto the road surface in the switchbacks after rain.

Traffic: Light. This is a quiet, little-known local road serving Tavagnasco and the small hamlets above it rather than a through route, so most of what you'll encounter is local residential traffic.

Parking: Tavagnasco is a small village along the SS26 in the Dora Baltea valley. Riders typically park along Via Massimo D'Azeglio near its intersection with Via S. Cecilia, right at the base of the climb, or find a spot in the village center and roll to the start.

Compact or sub-compact gearing with a wide-range cassette is essential here - an 11.0% average with ramps into the high teens and short pitches reported up to 20% will punish anything close to a standard racing setup. There are no services (water, food, or bike shops) along the climb itself, so fill bottles and eat before leaving Tavagnasco. The short overall distance means you can get away with carrying less than you would on a longer Alpine climb, but bring enough water for a slow, steady grind in the summer sun on the more exposed upper switchbacks.

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.

Base yourself in the Dora Baltea valley - Ivrea, about 6.2 miles south, has the area's best selection of hotels, restaurants, and a train station on the Turin-Aosta line if you're building a multi-day trip without a car. Tavagnasco itself is a quiet village with limited services, so plan to eat and resupply in Ivrea or one of the larger towns along the SS26. This climb's real value is as a detour: it sits roughly 35.0 miles from the base of Colle del Nivolet, one of the truly great Italian Alpine climbs, so cyclists making the pilgrimage to Nivolet can use Piani Superiore as a brutal warm-up or a quiet alternative on a rest day. Our Routes in the Area tool is a good way to see what else is worth combining with this climb during a Piemonte or Valle d'Aosta trip.