Monte Zoncolan, Italy
Monte Zoncolan, Italy
The Passo dello Stelvio may be one of the toughest climbs in Europe – but it’s not the toughest in Italy. That title goes to the Monte Zoncolan.
The western approach from Ovaro is the the hardest of the three routes up the mountain, with a thigh-burning average gradient of 13% over the course of 7.5km and long stretches which are considerably steeper than that, rising to a maximum of 22%.
The Monte Zoncolan has featured in the Giro d’Italia five times, in 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2014, with a summit finish on the penultimate stage of last year’s Corsa Rosa where Michael Rogers (Tinkoff-Saxo) soloed to victory.
Vital statistics
Length: 7.5km
Average gradient: 13%
Start elevation: 698m
End elevation: 1,716m