Baite di Mezzeno from Lenna via Lago Bernigolo

The climb is really tough. Let’s break it down into four sections. The first section has very gentle gradients (4–5 per cent). Then the average gradient rises to 9 per cent and it starts to get tough. In the third section, there’s a bit of a breather with an average gradient of 7 per cent. The final section then starts with an average gradient of 12 per cent, before ‘dropping’ to 10 per cent, with the last stretch at 9 per cent. Once you reach the top… there’s nothing… well, apart from the view of the Orobie Alps. Unfortunately, for a couple of kilometres before the final stretch, the road is in a really poor state. One positive aspect is the presence of many drinking fountains along the climb. PS: during the first section, a short detour takes you to the old Baresi mill, managed by the FAI.

Done with ÉRIC on the morning of 17 June 2026.
My friend Éric, who regularly accompanies me on climbs in Savoie, is originally from Capovalle (the last village on the climb).
He kindly invited my wife and me to a holiday resort so that we could do the climb together (not my wife).
He’s so well known there that the very next day, both the residents of Roncobello and Capovalle knew he’d cycled up the mountain.
As I’m not familiar with the other climbs in the region, I’ll take GinevraG’s word for it that this is the most beautiful.
You really must set off early in the morning, as the sun shines all day long, even though there are plenty of shaded sections.
The serious gradients begin at the far end of the lake, near the hydroelectric dam.
Up to Capovalle, nothing isinsurmountable; the steepest sections are in the stretch through Baresi – the first village on the route – where there are plenty of fountains to top up your water bottle, and in the stretch through Roncobello, where the Nuevo Bar offers a different way to quench your thirst.
On leaving Capovalle, the road rises sharply and this marks the start of some very steep gradients; for 4.5 km, the gradient remains consistently between 10–12 per cent through the woods on a very narrow road in fair condition, with an endless 1.5 km straight stretch – at the time we climbed it, butaccording to reports, it was due to be resurfaced during the week of 22–28 June 2026.
With a bit of luck, you’ll come across the Capovalle shepherd, Walter (a very friendly local character), with his flock of Naso Nero sheep.

Fairly steady ascent from the bridge over the Brembo to Capovalle (after Roncobello)

demanding, very beautiful climb, no traffic during the week, from Capovalle a toll road for cars. the mezzeno huts were closed, but there was a truck-bar at the finish.