Zoncolan from Ovaro: six kilometres at 15% and how to survive them

Monte Zoncolan, in the Carnic Alps of Friuli, is 1,750 m high, which is not high at all. What makes it famous is the road up from Ovaro. The Giro d'Italia gives it 10.1 km and 1,203 m of climbing at an average of 12%, with a maximum of 22%, and from the second to the seventh kilometre the gradient never drops below 15%. Italia.it calls it one of the hardest climbs in Europe. Here is how the climb is built, how to survive the middle, and what to know before you go.

The climb, in three acts

Our track runs 10.0 km from Ovaro at 527 m to the top at 1,748 m, with 1,218 m of climbing at an average of 12.2%. It matches the Giro's figures closely. The Friuli Venezia Giulia tourist board's account of the ride divides it neatly into three.

• Ovaro to Liariis. The climb begins at a wooden arch in Ovaro, at 530 m. The first couple of kilometres to the village of Liariis average around 10%, and then ease a little; our track has 6% between km 1 and 2. The tourist board calls it "just enough to warm up". Use it to settle your breathing, not to make time.
• The six central kilometres. This is the Zoncolan. The tourist board gives the six central kilometres an average of 14.9%. Our track has 14.1, 16.5, 15.7, 14.7, 15.0 and 13.6% for kilometres 3 to 8, and its steepest single kilometre is 17.8%. The board's writer warns that you cannot stop pedalling, even for five seconds.
• The tunnels and the top. Near the end the road passes through three tunnels. After the last one comes a final stretch of about 700 m at 10% to the saddle at 1,730 m. On our track the last two kilometres average 7.5% and 9.7%, which after the middle feels like a descent. The summit is a couple of minutes' walk above the saddle.

How to survive the middle

Most fit amateurs need between an hour and an hour and a half. On average gradients of 15%, the limit is not your heart or lungs; it is how slowly you can turn the pedals and still keep going.

• Gear for 15%, not for 12%. The tourist board's writer, a 41-year-old rider of 82 kg, used a 34×28 and says gearing is personal. For most amateurs we would go lower: a 34×34 or smaller keeps your cadence near 60 rpm in the middle six kilometres. Our guide to gearing for climbing explains the maths.
• Ride to a ceiling. At this gradient you will be close to threshold even in your lowest gear. Set an upper limit, about 95% of FTP, and accept whatever speed that gives you. Six kilometres over threshold is beyond almost everyone; W′ and anaerobic capacity explains why.
• Stand in rhythm. Standing for 20–30 pedal strokes every few minutes changes the load on your legs and back. Keep your weight over the bottom bracket so the rear wheel does not slip. See standing power.
• Eat before Liariis. You will not want to take a hand off the bars on 16%. Take a gel or a bar on the warm-up, and drink when the road eases at the top.

How it became the Kaiser

The Giro d'Italia first finished on the Zoncolan in 2003, from the other side, the Sutrio road, and Gilberto Simoni won. The race came up from Ovaro for the first time in 2007, and Simoni won again, which is why, according to Italia.it, it is known as "Montagna Simoni". Riders also call it the Kaiser and the Monster of Carnia. The Friuli tourist board notes that the road was resurfaced and slightly widened for the 2007 race, with the gradient left as it was.

Since then the Zoncolan has been one of the Giro's great summit finishes. Ivan Basso was first to the top in 2010, Igor Antón in 2011, Michael Rogers in 2014, Chris Froome in 2018 and Lorenzo Fortunato in 2021. Giant photographs of past champions line the climb.

Planning the ride

• The other side. Italia.it gives the Sutrio side 13 km and 1,200 m of climbing, with less of the climb at the extreme gradients. It is still a hard climb, steepest in its last few kilometres.
• Descending. Going down to Sutrio, the tourist board warns that the first three kilometres are very steep. Going back down to Ovaro is steeper still. Check your brake pads before you go, keep your speed low and stop if your hands tire. Descending faster and safer covers braking on steep roads.
• Season. In winter the top is a ski area. Ride it in the warmer months and expect cooler, changeable weather at 1,700 m than in the valley.
• The tunnels. Fit front and rear lights before you start, so you are seen in them.

Ride it in Moveee Indoor

The route on this page is the real road from Ovaro, with its height at every point. In Moveee Indoor your smart trainer reproduces the gradient, and the world around you is built from map data of the real place. On the Zoncolan, riding it indoors first is less about fitness than about rehearsal: you learn what 60 rpm at 15% feels like for half an hour, and whether your lowest gear is low enough, before you are in the woods above Liariis finding out.

The ride is saved with its power data, so you can see how close to your ceiling you rode the middle six kilometres. It works in the browser and in the Mac and Windows apps. To ride it elsewhere, download the GPX above.

The short version

About 10 km and 1,200 m from Ovaro to 1,750 m, with six central kilometres averaging close to 15% and a maximum of 22%. Warm up to Liariis, gear lower than you think, ride the middle to a ceiling, and enjoy the tunnels and the last easy 700 m. Descend carefully: it is just as steep going down.