- Ascent
- 1721 hm
- Distance Ascent
- 36.5 km
- max. gradient
- 12 %
- ø gradient
- 4.7 %
The Passo Sella from Klausen is an HC climb of 36.5 km with 1,721 m of elevation gain at an average of 4.7 %, peaking at 12 %. The road runs through the whole of Val Gardena via St. Ulrich and Wolkenstein to 2,244 m and drops on the far side to Canazei. The steeper part only comes in the last nine kilometres or so.
Climb Goals: Pure Data Edition DIN A1 poster
Bucket-List Print: Passo Sella
The Passo Sella from Klausen is the longest climb of the Dolomites in our list. It is 36.5 kilometres and 1,721 metres of climbing from the Eisack valley up to 2,244 metres. The road runs through the whole of Val Gardena before the actual pass climb begins. Anyone who counts only the last kilometres underestimates the day.
The Passo Sella at a glance
The key figures from Klausen: category HC, 36.5 km, 1,721 m of climbing, 4.7 % on average and 12 % at its steepest. The road leaves the Eisack valley at Klausen, climbs through Val Gardena via St. Ulrich and Wolkenstein and reaches the pass at 2,244 m. On the far side it drops into the Fassa valley to Canazei. In our list the Sella belongs to the Dolomites region.
The climb from Klausen
The first 27 kilometres or so are a long, gentle approach: the gradient mostly sits between 3 and 5 %, and there are several almost flat kilometres in between. This is where you gain height without really feeling it. At the same time these kilometres add up, and they cost energy that you will miss at the end. A calm pace here is the most important decision of the day.
The last nine kilometres or so are the actual pass climb and average a little over 7 %. The gradient swings between 5.5 and 8.5 %, with no long flat breaks. After such a long approach this finish feels harder than its numbers suggest. The pass itself comes without a final wall.
How it compares to our 100 climbs
Among the eight Dolomites climbs in our list the Sella is number one for length and elevation gain, and only the Tre Cime di Lavaredo finish higher. Across all 100 climbs only five are longer and only eleven have more climbing. The 4.7 % average, on the other hand, is the lowest of all Dolomites climbs, and only eight climbs in the whole list are gentler. The Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße follows a similar pattern: a long valley approach and the real climb only in the last third.
Practical tips
On the Sella supplies and pacing matter more than gearing: plan food and drink for a long climb of several hours. A compact gearing is enough for the 12 % peak. At 2,244 m it is much colder than in the Eisack valley, so bring warm layers for the descent. Carry on over the pass and you drop to Canazei, the way back to Klausen is the same road through Val Gardena.
