Monte Martello, a delightful yet challenging road to the summit

Monte Martello is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.051m (6,729ft)  above the sea level, located in Val Martello, in the province of Bolzano, Italy. The gradient exceeds 10% for most of the final 1.3km, including the last 14% section with 1km remaining. 

The asphalted road to climb the pass starts in Coldrano, at an elevation of 662 m above the sea level. The ascent is 22.7 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1.389 meters. The average percentage is 6.1 %. The asphalted road ends in a hotel at 2.090m above the sea level. The pass has been climbed by Giro d’Italia race several times.

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. A brutal climb. Its gradient may average closer to six per cent than the Passo dello Stelvio seven per cent and Gavia’s eight per cent, but it is a frustrating irregular climb that, at 22kms, seems to go on forever.