- Ascent
- 1867 hm
- Distance Ascent
- 31.8 km
- max. gradient
- 19 %
- ø gradient
- 5.9 %
The Lago del Narèt from Bignasco is an HC climb of 31.8 km with 1,867 m of elevation gain at an average of 5.9 %, peaking at 19 %. The road runs up the Val Lavizzara via Fusio to the reservoir at 2,310 m, and the way back is the same road. After a gentle valley start, the last nine kilometres average around 9 %.
The Lago del Narèt climbs from the Valle Maggia to a reservoir high up in Ticino. From Bignasco it is 31.8 kilometres and 1,867 metres of climbing up to 2,310 metres. Only six climbs in our list have more elevation gain. The profile alternates between gentle valley pieces and steep blocks, and the hardest part comes at the end.
The Lago del Narèt at a glance
The key figures from Bignasco: category HC, 31.8 km, 1,867 m of climbing, 5.9 % on average and 19 % at its steepest. The road runs up the Val Lavizzara via Fusio to the reservoir at 2,310 m. Start and finish are both in Bignasco, so the way back is the same road. In our list the Narèt belongs to the Western Alps region.
The climb from Bignasco
The first ten kilometres or so are a gentle valley road averaging under 4 %. Then comes a first steep block of about three kilometres at 9 to 11 %, followed by two flatter kilometres. After that the gradient swings between 5 and 9 % for a while. Around 21 kilometres in there are three almost level kilometres, the last real break of the day.
The last nine kilometres average around 9 % and are the core of the climb. Several kilometres here go above 10 %, and none drops below 6 %. After more than 20 kilometres already in the legs, this finish is hard work. The last kilometre is a little calmer than the ones before it.
How it compares to our 100 climbs
The Narèt is one of the big climbs in the list: only six have more elevation gain and only six are longer, in the Western Alps only two each. The 19 % peak is also high, only eight climbs have a steeper one. With its 5.9 % average, on the other hand, it sits in the lower field, because of the long valley approach. The Colle Fauniera is almost a twin, with 30.4 km and 1,840 m of climbing and likewise a steep last part.
Practical tips
On the Narèt the gearing matters: for the steep final kilometres a compact chainset with a large sprocket makes sense. Save your strength on the valley road and on the flat pieces, the key part only comes at the end. At 2,310 m it is cold even in summer, so warm layers for the descent are essential. The way back to Bignasco is the same road and gives a long descent.
