A Delightful Yet Challenging Road to the Summit of Monte Martello
Monte Martello is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,051m (6,729ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Italy. The gradient exceeds 10% for most of the final 1.3km, including the last 14% section with 1km remaining.
Where is Monte Martello?
The pass is located in Val Martello, in the South Tyrol region, in the northern part of the country.
Is the road through Monte Martello paved?
The road through the pass is fully paved, yet steep and narrow in parts. Running along the Zufrittsee-Lago Gioveretto, the road is 22.7 km long, running from Coldrano to Rifugio Nino Corsi, also known as Zufallhütte. The last 2 kilometers of the road are on a gravel surface and closed to private vehicles.
How steep is the climb to Monte Martello?
The pass has been climbed by the Giro d’Italia race several times. It’s a brutal climb. The average gradient is 6.1%, but there are ramps of up to 14%. The gradient changes often, with many steep and gentler sections mixed together. The gradient exceeds 10% for most of the final 1.3km, including the last 14% section with 1km remaining. Its gradient may average closer to six percent than the Passo dello Stelvio’s seven percent and Passo di Gavia’s eight percent, but it is a frustrating irregular climb that, at 22kms, seems to go on forever.