Monte Grappa - Italy
The Italian Mont Ventoux has a legendary status in the Giro and with cyclists - no wonder as it can be it climbed 10 different ways.
Cycling Monte Grappa is a long, solemn, and deeply rewarding climb—one that blends physical endurance with history and vast, open views. Reaching the top, you’re met with silence, space, and sweeping views in every direction. Monte Grappa isn’t about explosive effort—it’s about persistence, reflection, and the feeling of having climbed not just a mountain, but a piece of history.
World War 1 Memorial
Riding Monte Grappa is not just a climb but a destination. Its position as single stand out mountain guarding the Venetian plains is unique as is its history as a World War 1 battleground. Its military past has given the mountain a network of roads covering it like a spider's web. It has an eeriness of a grave yard and the gravitas of a place of remembrance. Riding through this landscape is a unique experience.
World War 1 memorials are everywhere on this mountain in memory of the approximately 23,000 people who died here. At km 3 from the top is a field hospital which gives the upper slopes of the ascent a quite eerie feeling. The massive war memorial on the mountain top is a fitting finish to this climb.
Monte Grappe from Romano d'Ezzelino
The road from Romano d'Ezzelino is probably the most popular and the classic ascent - it is also one of the easier ones - 26.4km in length, 1567m climbing and with an average gradient of 5.9% to an altitude on 1,726m. But easy is a relative term on Monte Grappa as the road frequently dips into double figures.
Dense forests
The lower part of the climb is steep and climbs out of Romano d'Ezzelinio right from the start.
Steep ramps take you high above the town in double quick time. The forest is dense and mysterious.
As this is a long climb, it is important to pace the effort in order not to run out of steam.
Venetian plaines
After the road has risen for about 12km, it flattens out and takes you round the back of the ridge with superb view of the low lands below.
At about 1,000m elevation it rises and falls for about 5km without making much elevation gain.
This all changes with 9km to go which is a continuous push to the top.
Upper slopes
On the upper part of the climb the road leaves the forest and winds its way on quite steep gradients to the top.
The mountain here has so many ridges, hidden dips and valleys that it is easy to imagine an almighty battle taking place here over 100 years ago. Now the only thing you hear are cow bells.
A massive mausoleum tops Monte Grappa and stands guardian over the Venetian plaines.
Monte Grappa from Romano d'Ezzelino
Length: 26.4km
Altitude gain: 1567 m
Max altitude: 1726 m
Average gradient: 5.9%
Max gradient: 11%
Route Tip: Monte Grappa sits with a hight of 1,775m right at the cusp between the Alps and the Venetian plains. Its exposed position made it a strategic location in the first world war and its top is covered by a huge war memorial to the dead of that conflict. The many ascend roads are a result of its military significance.
The 10 different routes to the top have led to the introduction of a cycling passport and cyclist get awarded gold, silver and bronze certificates for ten, six and three ascends in a year. The 10 ascends are:
1 - From Romano d’Ezzelino to Cima Grappa – Strada “Cardona”
2 - From Semonzo to Cima Grappa – Strada “Giardino”
3 - From Fietta to Cima Grappa – Il salto della capra
4 - From Possagno to Cima Grappa – Strada degli Alpini
5 - From Cavaso del Tomba to Cima Grappa – Strada del Tomba
6 - From Pederobba to Cima Grappa – Strada della Monfenera
7- From Alano di Piave to Cima Grappa – Strada del Grappa
8 - From Seren to Cima Grappa – Strada Chiesa Nuova San Luigi
9 - From Caupo to Cima Grappa – Strada Cadorna
10 - From Cismon to Cima Grappa – Strada del “Col dei Prai”
