- Ascent
- 1263 hm
- Distance Ascent
- 22.1 km
- max. gradient
- 10 %
- ø gradient
- 5.7 %
The Passo Rolle from Fiera di Primiero is an HC climb of 22.1 km with 1,263 m of elevation gain at an average of 5.7 %, peaking at 10 %. The road climbs via San Martino di Castrozza to 1,984 m and drops on the far side towards Predazzo. The gradient stays moderate and steady, mostly between 5 and 8 %.
The Passo Rolle climbs from the Primiero valley via San Martino di Castrozza to the foot of the Pala group. From Fiera di Primiero it is 22.1 kilometres and 1,263 metres of climbing up to 1,984 metres. It never gets really steep, the fact box shows 10 % as the maximum. The climb is long and steady rather than hard.
The Passo Rolle at a glance
The key figures from Fiera di Primiero: category HC, 22.1 km, 1,263 m of climbing, 5.7 % on average and 10 % at its steepest. The road climbs via San Martino di Castrozza to the pass at 1,984 m. On the far side it runs down towards Predazzo in the Fiemme valley. In our list the Rolle belongs to the Dolomites region.
The climb from Fiera di Primiero
The first two kilometres are gentle, then the gradient settles at 5 to 7 %. Around kilometre seven comes the steepest kilometre of the climb at close to 9 %, followed right away by an almost flat one. That short dip is the only real break of the whole climb. After it the road finds its rhythm again.
From about kilometre nine to the last two kilometres the gradient mostly swings between 6 and 8.5 %, without long flat pieces or steep walls. It is a section to ride at one steady pace. The last two kilometres before the pass are clearly gentler. So the Rolle ends with a calm roll to the top.
How it compares to our 100 climbs
Among the eight Dolomites climbs in our list only the Passo Sella is longer and has more elevation gain. The 10 % peak is the lowest of all Dolomites climbs, and with a 5.7 % average 79 climbs in the list are steeper. The Klausenpass is exactly the same length at 22.1 km, with 1,299 m of climbing and a 9 % peak.
Practical tips
The Rolle needs no special gearing, a compact chainset is plenty for the 10 % peak. More important are steady pacing and enough food for a long climb. At 1,984 m it is noticeably cooler than in the Primiero valley, so bring a jacket for the descent. Carry on and you drop towards Predazzo, the way back to Fiera di Primiero is the same road via San Martino di Castrozza.
