29.1
PDI
9.7 mi
DISTANCE
4,120 ft
GAINED
7.6 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
Passo Manghen - Molina is a 15.6 km (9.7 mi) climb in Italy's Trentino region, gaining 1,256 m (4,120 ft) at an average grade of 7.6% as it climbs from Molina di Fiemme, at the edge of the Val di Fiemme, up through the Lagorai mountains to the Passo Manghen. This is the shorter and quieter of the pass's two paved approaches - the longer, better-known climb starts from Telve on the Valsugana side.
We began this side at the roundabout where SP31 crosses the Torrente Avisio just outside Molina, and the road stays manageable through the first several kilometers of forest before showing its real character: past the bridge over the Rio delle Stue around km 7.6, the grade tightens noticeably, and the steepest kilometer, starting around km 10, averages 12.6%. It's a narrow road with tight, occasionally blind switchbacks - Trentino has posted "respect the cyclist" signage along it, one of about 100 such signs the province has installed on its 23 most popular climbing roads.
Passo Manghen first appeared in the Giro d'Italia in 1976, on a stage from Vigo di Fassa to Terme di Comano that climbed this same Molina side - then still unpaved gravel - before dropping to the Valsugana side and on toward Monte Bondone. It's the stage remembered for points leader Roger De Vlaeminck's abandon partway up the climb, when he reportedly threw down his bike and ran into the woods. The pass has returned to the Giro four times since, including Marco Pantani's decisive attack en route to Alpe di Pampeago in 1999 and Emanuele Sella's breakaway stage win in 2008.
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. This side of Passo Manghen gains 1,256 m (4,120 ft) over 15.6 km (9.7 mi) at an average grade of 7.6%, climbing from 815 m (2,674 ft) in Molina di Fiemme to roughly 2,001 m (6,566 ft) at the pass.
The grade builds steadily rather than staying flat: the steepest quarter-mile averages 13.4%, the steepest half-mile 12.6%, and the steepest full mile 12.5% - all in the closing kilometers above the bridge at Rio delle Stue, where the road's true difficulty shows up. Zoomed out, the steepest 2.5-mile stretch still averages 11.3% and the steepest 5-mile stretch 10.4%, reflecting how little of this climb is actually easy once you're past the lower forest section. The Fiets difficulty index rates it at 10.01, solidly into HC territory.
Roadway: Paved the entire way, but narrow with tight, occasionally blind switchbacks, especially in the steeper upper kilometers. It's popular enough with cyclists that the province of Trento has posted dedicated "respect the cyclist" road signs along it. SP31 is a seasonal mountain road, closed by snow every winter and typically only fully open from late spring into early autumn - check current status with the Provincia di Trento before planning a full crossing over the top.
Traffic: Generally light - this is a quiet secondary provincial road connecting two rural valleys, not a through-route for regional traffic. Expect a mix of local cars, motorcyclists, and cyclists rather than heavy vehicle volume, though the narrow lane width and blind curves call for caution regardless of traffic count.
Parking: Start from the roundabout at the southeast edge of Molina, where SP31 crosses the Torrente Avisio and meets SS612 - there's roadside parking near the village center here for anyone driving in to start the ride.
Molina di Fiemme has small shops and cafes for a pre-ride coffee or to top off water bottles before starting. Once you leave town there's essentially nothing until the top: the Baita/Rifugio Passo Manghen, a mountain hut-restaurant near the summit serving typical Trentino dishes like canederli and polenta, is open seasonally (roughly May through October) and is the one realistic stop on this side of the pass.
Given how much of the elevation gain is stacked into the final 8 kilometers above Rio delle Stue, it's worth carrying enough water for the whole climb rather than counting on a mid-route refill, and gearing low enough to handle sustained double-digit pitches near the top.
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.
Molina di Fiemme, at the base of this side, sits in the Val di Fiemme, a broader valley known for its forests (the same Norway spruce that supplies tonewood for Stradivarius violins grows nearby) and as a hub for hiking and skiing in the Dolomites' Lagorai and Latemar groups. It makes a reasonable overnight base if you're combining this climb with other rides in the valley.
The pass itself has no real facilities beyond the seasonal Rifugio Passo Manghen, so this is very much a summer-into-early-fall ride - the road is closed by snow the rest of the year, and even in season it's worth checking current conditions given how often this stretch of road sees landslides and weather-related closures.
If you're building a longer route in the area, see other climbs nearby - including the steeper Telve approach up the other side of this same pass - with our Routes in the Area tool.
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