Italy Colle del Nivolet (Locana)
Colle del Nivolet (Locana) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

35.7
PDI
24.8 mi
DISTANCE
6,693 ft
GAINED
4.9 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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INTRO

OH MY! Yes, this is a MUST DO climb, no doubt about it. This route has been described as one of the most beautiful climbs you have never heard of. However, judging from the many cyclists we encountered on the route on an early September Monday, the secret is out! The last third of this climb is among the most spectacular and breathtaking you will ever find. We were blessed with perfect weather, clear skies and blooming wildflowers for our one shot at this jewel. We rank this bike climb as THE World's Most Scenic Bike Climb - See our Top 10 World Most Scenic page. 

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The average grade is 4.9% (5.6% with descent eliminated from the gradient equation).  44% of the climb is at 0-5% grade, 41% is at 5-10%, and 7% is at 10-15%.  The steepest 500 meters is 12.6% and steepest kilometer 11%.  

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  Narrow two lane road with no center stripe that ends just past the summit.  The roadway is in good condition.

Traffic:  Mild to moderate for the first third of the climb and minimal for the last two thirds.

Tunnel:  You encounter a 3 kilometer tunnel at kilometer 14.8.  We took the old road around the tunnel which was a fun (epic) experience (see Photos & Videos and also Full Summary for details). 

Parking:  There is public parking on the left soon after you enter Locana from the east - Map;  Street View. 
Provisions:  There several cafés or bars to eat and get beverages on the way, the last at Lago di Ceresole at kilometer about kilometer 22.5.
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.
We stayed in Turin and drove to the climb.  From Turin you can also access several other great climbs such as Colle delle Finestre.

Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Challenging
4
Road
3
Traffic
5
Scenery

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Nov 16, 2021
difficulty: Challenging
scenery: 5
traffic: 3
road: 4
Nov 16, 2021
scenery: 5
traffic: 3
road: 4
Beautiful and famous cycling paradise. ;-)
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - panoramic view shows road snaking up green mountain pass, blue alpine lake at top of mountain

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy.

A World Top 10 Most Scenic Bike Climb.


OH MY!  Yes, this is a MUST DO climb, no doubt about it.  This route has been described as one of the most beautiful climbs you have never heard of.  However, judging from the many cyclists we encountered on the route on an early September Monday, the secret is out!  The last third of this climb is among the most spectacular and breathtaking you will ever find.  We were blessed with perfect weather, clear skies and blooming wildflowers for our one shot at this jewel.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows beautiful purple and white flowers along the banks of bright blue alpine lake; PJAMM cyclist John Johnson standing next to Colle del Nivolet sign, roadway snaking up mountainside

We begin in the small, quaint village of Locana at the Parco Nazionale Grann Paradiso Visitor Center.  Here, you can obtain information about the park, including roadway and hiking routes.  There is another Visitor Center in Ceresole Reale (western end of Lago di Ceresole) at about mile 13/kilometer 21, although it was closed at noon when we arrived.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - Locana Vistor's Center, sign for Rosone

Locana Visitor Center- climb’s start.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows aerial drone views of hairpin turns in Planchette, kilometer 13.4

The first set of hairpins encountered on the climb are in Planchette at kilometer 13.4.

This is the longest top climb in Italy.  The first 17 miles (27 kilometers) have their steep sections, but for the most part are not too difficult, averaging 5% over that long stretch.  Once we are in sight of the second set of major switchbacks as we approach the dam at Lago Serro, the grade begins to increase for good, with the final 8 miles(12.8 kilometers) a 50% greater average grade at 7.5% with a fair amount of that approaching and entering double digit territory.  

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - two-lane tunnel, sign for Pianchette, Balmarossa

This tunnel is 3,534 meters (2.2 miles).

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - warning sign in front of two-lane tunnel

 

At kilometer 14.8  we enter a very long  3,200m (2 mile) tunnel.  There are no warnings or restrictions for bicycles as you see on some roads and tunnels.  However, the tunnel is dangerous and should be avoided.

Diamond road sign Y junction. ...Alternative Route: The Old Road

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows tunnel and alternative road, which is rocky and lined with huge boulders

Old road -- alternate route around tunnel.

The old road is to the right, about 100 meters before the tunnel – take that!  The tunnel is terrifying and dangerous and is to be avoided at all costs.  Additionally, the old road is unique and interesting - adding to the allure of this climb.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows huge bolder in roadway with bike leaning against it, then the same view with the boulder removed, sign for Giro d'Italia

Boulder blocked our way in 2017, but was removed for the 2019 Giro d’Italia.

The old road is an experience unto itself.  We travel along a river to our right on a worn and broken stretch of pavement, previously past a huge boulder that blocks all but a skinny cyclist.  The 2019 Giro d’Italia featured a mountain finish at the Turino dam on the Colle del Nivolet route on Stage 13, meaning that the giant boulder that blocked our way in 2017 was removed.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows PJAMM cyclists riding through beautiful alpine settings, roadway in great condition, bright blue alpine lake, livestock feeding in pastures on roadside

The extraordinary nature of the climb begins around kilometer 21 as we reach the beautiful lake and recreational area of Lago Ceresole, two kilometers after the end of the tunnel alternate route. We spent at least an extra hour on this climb stopping to take photographs – we kept telling ourselves, “OK, this is the last set of photos, we have to get going,” but inevitably we didn’t travel much further until stopping again to take more photos of spectacular once-in-a-lifetime views.  

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows beautiful alpine setting in middle section of climb, including old rock buildings and brightly colored bee boxes

Middle segment of the climb is through a lovely alpine setting.

The road above Lake Ceresole was unpaved when the blockbuster movie Italian Job was filmed in the late 1960’s.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows alpine setting with green pastures, purple wildflowers, waterfalls and a lake approaching Lago Serru and Torino Dam

We encounter 16 hairpins in a stunning setting as we approach Lago Serru and Torino Dam. 

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - view looking out to switchbacks leading up to Lago Serru and Torino Dam

Hairpins leading to the dam and lake - 4.3 kilometers averaging 8.6% grade.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows aerial drone views and panoramic views of Lago Serru and Torino Dam

This lake services the city of Turin.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows views of Diga Del Serru (Serru Dam), which was the 2019 finish for Giro d'Italia

Stage 13 of the 2019 Giro d’Italia finished at the dam.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy -

Ilnur Zakarin (RU) won stag 13 of the 2019 Giro (he finished the Giro #10 that year).

Photo:  Cyclist.co.uk

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows scenic views of final 5 kilometers of ride, including snow patches on mountain tops, bright green pastureland, and alpine setting

The final 5 kilometers of the climb are what secure Nivolet’s spot as the #1 world most scenic road bike climb.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - glacier and Lago Serru and Lago Agnel

We pass the glacier formed Lago Serru and Lago Agnel at kilometer 33.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows PJAMM Cyclist riding on final set of 14 hairpins

The final set of 14 hairpins after the lakes are 3.5 kilometers at 7.5% and offer some of the most beautiful views you’ll ever see on a bike.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - climb finish, Colle de Nivolet sign

Finish at the Colle del Nivolet sign.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - aerial drone view of the final hairpins and climb's finish

Photo left: final hairpins to the Colle; photos right is the finish.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows beautiful views from climb finish, including Lago Serru and Lagu Angel, bright pink wildflowers, snow-dotted mountain peaks

Hike to the summit by taking the trail to the right of the Colle sign.

Cycling Colle de Nivolet, Italy - photo collage shows black and white views from the top of the climb

 

This is one worth traveling to – it is a Must-Do Bucket List Climb that words simply cannot describe – photos are a good indicator, but not an adequate substitute for climbing what we consider to be The Most Beautiful Climb in the World.