Colle del Ghisallo is a paradise for cyclists in Lago Como
Colle del Ghisallo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 754m (2,473ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Como, in Italy. Near the summit, there’s a sanctuary called Santuario Del Ghisallo. This tiny church is home to the Patron Saint of Cyclists and includes a small cycling museum.
Where is Colle del Ghisallo?
The pass is located in Magreglio, close to Lake Como, in the region of Lombardy, in the northern part of the country, not far from the Swiss border. It connects the upper part of Valassina Larian Triangle.
Is Colle del Ghisallo worth the drive?
The Madonna del Ghisallo is a beautiful and hard climb located near Lake Como. No trip to Lombardia was ever complete without a visit to la Madonna del Ghisallo, but with the creation of the Museo del Ciclismo, that visit has become all the more worthwhile. As the story of the Madonna del Ghisallo goes, a local Count named Ghisallo was saved from bandits when he saw, and ran to, an image of the Virgin Mary. This apparition became known as the Madonna del Ghisallo, and she became the patron saint for local travelers.
What’s at Colle del Ghisallo?
The church, which was built in the 17th century and contains a painting of the Virgin Mary, remains on this spot. Inside the sanctuary burns an eternal flame for cyclists who have died. One particularly notable artifact is the crumpled bicycle that Fabio Casartelli, a native of the region, rode on the day he died in a crash in the Tour de France. Other bikes on display include Giuseppe Saronni's 1982 World Championship winning Colnago, an Eddy Merckx from his World Championships of 1974, as well as one from his 1972 Giro di Lombardia victory. An hour record theme is present along one wall, featuring Coppi's 1942 Legnano, Francesco Moser's whacky-looking 1984 bike with the enormous rear disc, and Tony Rominger's Colnago from 1994.
How long is the road through Colle del Ghisallo?
The road to the summit is totally paved and in pretty good condition. It’s 15.0 km (9.32 miles) long, running north-south from Bellagio to Sormano.
How steep is Colle del Ghisallo?
The road has been featured in the Giro d’Italia race. Starting from Bellagio, the ascent is 10.6 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 552 meters. The average gradient is 5.2% and hits a maximum gradient of 14%.