- Ascent
- 781 hm
- Distance Ascent
- 13.8 km
- max. gradient
- 11 %
- ø gradient
- 5.7 %
The Passo di Valparola from La Villa is a category 1 climb of 13.8 km with 781 m of elevation gain at an average of 5.7 %, peaking at 11 %. The road climbs out of Val Badia via San Cassiano to 2,192 m and continues on the far side towards Cortina d'Ampezzo. The first half is gentle, the steep part comes in the upper kilometres.
Climb Goals: Pure Data Edition DIN A1 poster
Bucket-List Print: Passo di Valparola
The Passo di Valparola climbs from Val Badia towards Cortina and is a climb in two halves. From La Villa it is 13.8 kilometres and 781 metres of climbing up to 2,192 metres. The first half is gentle, the second is steep. Anyone who knows this can ride the valley part at ease and save their strength for the top.
The Passo di Valparola at a glance
The key figures from La Villa: category 1, 13.8 km, 781 m of climbing, 5.7 % on average and 11 % at its steepest. The road leaves La Villa in Val Badia, climbs via San Cassiano and reaches the pass at 2,192 m. On the far side it continues towards Cortina d’Ampezzo. In our list the Valparola belongs to the Dolomites region.
The climb from La Villa
The first seven kilometres average less than 4 %, with individual pieces at around 6 % and several almost flat stretches. This is the valley part through San Cassiano, more of a warm up than a real climb. Ride at a relaxed pace here, the steep part is still to come.
Then the character changes: for about six kilometres the gradient sits around 8 % on average and never drops below 7 %. The steepest kilometre comes roughly two kilometres below the pass. After that it flattens out, and the last kilometre is almost level. So the Valparola ends with a short roll to the top.
How it compares to our 100 climbs
Among the eight Dolomites climbs in our list the Valparola is one of the longer ones, only two are longer than its 13.8 km. On average gradient it is the other way round: at 5.7 % only one Dolomites climb is gentler. Across all 100 climbs 83 have more elevation gain and 31 finish higher than its 2,192 m. The Passo di Giau has almost exactly the same elevation gain at 780 m, but packs it into 10.7 instead of 13.8 kilometres.
Practical tips
On the Valparola the effort belongs in the second half, the first seven kilometres are warm up terrain. A compact gearing is enough for the 11 % peak. At 2,192 m it can be cool even in summer, so bring a jacket for the descent. Carry on over the pass and you head towards Cortina d’Ampezzo, the way back to La Villa is the same road.
