Passo della Forcella from Ovaro

Tough, extreme, tests everything about yourself

Near Ovaro, right opposite the infamous Zoncolan, is a climb that far surpasses the Zoncolan in terms of severity: the Passo della Forcella.

The gradients are higher, the steep sections longer and the road surface worse. From the village, it starts in earnest straight away. No warm-up phase: the road climbs quickly to 15％ and stays there for a long time. In fact, you ride over a stretched Keutenberg for 8.5km. After about 5km, it gets really brutal. Percentages of up to 28％ are no exception.

The final part of the climb, with the summit in sight, is the toughest. Some 750 metres before the summit are concrete slabs and the gradient there is continuously above 25％. Even with a gravel bike, walking during this climb is no exception and no shame.

One of the toughest climbs in Italy and Europe.
A challenge against oneself on ramps that are nothing short of deadly.
After the first 2 kilometres of warm-up at 10-12％ after the town of Mione, the climb gives no respite, remaining constantly between 15-20％ with the last kilometre all on concrete where peaks of 30％ are almost reached.
I do not recommend doing it by road bike because going back down the same road is not ideal.
I recommend doing it by mountain bike or gravel bike to complete the tour of the malghe (shepherd's huts) that leads to Sauris, which is very beautiful and evocative!