Muro di Sormano, ITA

Written on the tarmac of the Muro di Sormano are the altitude marks, split times and quotes of the riders who nearly fell off their bikes here in 1960. A wall with built-in historiography: 1.7 kilometres averaging 17 percent, peaking at 27.

The Muro di Sormano at a glance

The full ascent from Asso to the Colma di Sormano measures 7.1 kilometres with 623 metres of climbing, averaging 8.9 percent. The average hides the punchline: the actual Muro, the short side branch above the village of Sormano, squeezes 239 metres of climbing into 1.7 kilometres. An average of 17 percent, a maximum of 27. The narrow road climbs relentlessly through forest, there are no flat sections.

Route description

From Asso to Sormano the world is still in order: five to seven percent, a normal Lombard climb. In the village the Muro branches off, and from there different physics apply. The road is barely wider than a car, the gradients are painted as white numbers on the tarmac, and they grow more double-digit the further you get.

The middle section holds a constant 20 percent or so, the steepest spot sits at 27. Riding out of the saddle is mandatory, stopping is not an option: once you put a foot down on the Muro, you will struggle to clip back in. At the top, the wall joins the road just below the Colma di Sormano at 1,124 metres, with views of the Bergamasque Alps.

History and racing

In 1960, race director Vincenzo Torriani was looking for a new difficulty for the Tour of Lombardy because the Ghisallo was no longer selective enough. Sormano’s mayor Angelo Testori recommended the wall above his village. For three years, 1960 to 1962, the peloton suffered up here. Then the Muro was dropped from the route: riders crashed, others were pushed by fans, the climb was deemed unrideable. Ercole Baldini, who dominated the Muro back then, later said he was ashamed of holding the record.

The road then decayed for over four decades until local cyclists pushed through its restoration. Since 2006 the Muro has been repaved, with the split times, altitude marks and riders’ quotes from the first era written into the surface. On 29 September 2012 the wall returned to Il Lombardia and has been part of the classic’s repertoire ever since.

Practical tips

Gearing is everything: at least a compact crankset with a 32-tooth sprocket, preferably more. The Muro is rideable from spring to autumn, and the forest keeps it bearable even in summer. Approach classically from Asso or as a loop from Lake Como via Nesso and back. Better to avoid descending the narrow Muro side, the main road to the Colma is the safe choice. Espresso at the top at the Colma rifugio.

How does the Muro compare?

In absolute gradients the Muro plays in the Zoncolan league, just compressed into 1.7 kilometres. The nearby Madonna del Ghisallo is the perfect counterpart: there the chapel and the cycling pilgrimage, here the naked gradient. Both in one day is the full Lombardy experience.

The Muro di Sormano is featured on our 100 Climbs posters in DIN A1 format.

My own experience

To be honest, I had imagined the climb to be harder. Just two years ago, an ascent would have failed on the simple fact of having to push 250 watts for an extended period. Equipped with a compact crankset and at a leisurely pace, the climb was almost relaxed to master.

How steep is the Muro di Sormano?

The Muro itself: 1.7 kilometres with 239 metres of climbing, averaging 17 percent, peaking at 27. The full ascent from Asso to the Colma di Sormano comes to 7.1 kilometres at 8.9 percent average.

Why are there quotes on the road?

When the decayed road was restored, altitude marks, split times and sayings of the riders from the 1960 to 1962 Lombardy editions were written into the tarmac. The wall tells its own racing history as you climb it.

Is the Muro di Sormano part of Il Lombardia?

Yes, with an interruption. It featured from 1960 to 1962, was then dropped because of crashes and riders being pushed, and returned on 29 September 2012. Since then it has regularly been part of the autumn classic’s route.