Passo del Mortirolo From Mazzo: Climb Guide

The Passo del Mortirolo is short by Alpine standards and brutally steep. The classic side climbs from Mazzo di Valtellina, in Lombardy.

The numbers

• Start: Mazzo di Valtellina, 552 m (1,811 ft).
• Top: the pass, 1,852 m (6,076 ft).
• Length: about 12 km (7.5 miles).
• Average gradient: about 10.5%.
• Steepest: ramps over 20%.
• Climbing: about 1,300 m (4,270 ft).

Climb figures differ a little from source to source, depending on where each one starts and stops the clock. Where they differ, we give a range or say “about”.

Why it’s famous

At the 1994 Giro d’Italia, Marco Pantani attacked on these ramps and dropped Miguel Indurain. Through the 1990s it became a Giro battleground, and the race has kept coming back, including in 2010 and 2015.

How to ride it

• Gear low: fit your smallest gears before you go. See what gearing you need for hills.
• No recovery: it rarely eases, so start well below your limit.
• Stay seated where you can: standing on 20% ramps burns your legs fast.

The Strava segment

There’s a segment for this climb, and plenty of riders judge their day by where they land on it. Set an honest time on your first go, without blowing up, then come back and beat it. The King and Queen of the Mountain crowns are for the very fastest; for most of us the real target is a personal best.

What to wear up it

Steep climbs are slow climbs, so your jersey gets seen. Our Climbs jerseys are drawn from the mountains: the Mont Ventoux Mistral, Contour and TOUGH After the Climb. Each is made to order, with free personalization.

More in Italy: famous climbs in Italy. More climbs: famous Strava climbs.

Strava is a trademark of Strava, Inc. Corbah isn’t connected to Strava; this is our own guide.