Majelletta

Majelletta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.897m (6,223ft) above the sea level, located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Expect a steep climb, with a maximum gradient of 15%.

The road to the summit, located within the Parco Nazionale della Majella, is asphalted but narrow and pretty steep. It’s impassable from November to April. At the summit there are several communication towers, a big parking lot and a mountain refuge, called Rifugio Bruno Pomilio. The climb has been used by the Giro d’Italia race. It was a famous killer climb in the Giro d’Itala of the seventies. Merckx collapsed here one year during an early stage.

There are 2 routes to reach the summit. Starting from Lettomanoppello, the ascent 26,1 km (16,2 mi) long with an average gradient 7,4% and a maximum gradient of 12%. The elevation gain is almost 2000 m/6600 ft. And starting from Roccamorice, the ascent is 18,5 km (11,5 mi) long and the average gradient is 8,3%, with a maximum gradient of 15%. This road has been improved in recent years.
At the summit, a concrete trail climbs up to Madonnina del Blockhaus, at an elevation of 2.072m (6,797ft) above the sea level. The trail is 2.3km long but is closed to vehicles.