The Legendary Climb in the Heart of Gran Paradiso
Set deep within Italy’s Gran Paradiso National Park, Colle del Nivolet is one of the most breathtaking cycling climbs in Europe. Winding through valleys, past pristine lakes, and over endless switchbacks, it's a dream ride for any road cyclist.
In 2022 and again in 2024, I had the chance to climb it — twice — and discovered that no two rides are ever the same.
Here's a guide based on my own two adventures up this mythical road.
Route Overview: Locana to Colle del Nivolet Summit
- Starting Point: Locana, Italy
- Finish Point: Colle del Nivolet Summit (2,612 meters)
- Total Distance: ~40 km (one way from Locana)
- Elevation Gain: +1,800 meters
- Average Gradient: ~4.5% (but expect much steeper sections later)
- Max Gradient: ~14%
- Surface: Perfect for road bikes; good quality tarmac, some narrow stretches higher up.
📍 Route Map suggestion: Komoot Route Example - Locana to Nivolet Summit. Check out my ride link here on Komoot!
Two Climbs, Two Wildly Different Experiences
First Ascent:
- When: 2022
- Start: Locana
- Conditions: Scorching hot — over +30°C at the start.
Experience:
The first half was a true sweat-fest. Every breath felt heavy, each turn exposed to relentless sun.
Locana to Noasca is a gentler climb, a beautiful introduction, but the heat made it feel tougher. The real climbing starts after Noasca. Here you tackle the famous tunnel bypass via a brutal set of switchbacks clinging to the cliffs. It’s a highlight and a challenge.
Higher up, past the series of hairpins and lakes, the temperature blissfully dropped. By the summit — 14–15°C — it was perfect cycling weather. I soaked in views of turquoise lakes, rugged peaks, and an almost lunar landscape. Pure magic. 🌄
Second Ascent – 2024:
- When: 2024
- Start: Noasca
- Conditions: Mild and sunny, mid 20s°C at the bottom.
Experience:
The start felt deceptively easy. The crisp morning air, the green forests, the steady rhythm of the climb — everything hinted at a smooth day.
But mountains have their own rules.
The higher I rode, the colder it became. Clouds rolled in, the air thinned, and by the summit, it was freezing — literally. Near 0°C, breath misting, fingers numb, the road dusted with a whisper of ice. ❄️
It became a mental game: stay focused, keep moving, respect the mountain.
What never changed?
The sheer beauty. The lakes glistening under stormy skies, the utter silence apart from my own breath and wheels. And that incredible feeling when you finally crest the summit.
🏨 Where to Stay
- Locana: Small, quiet — perfect for early starts. Try Hotel Bergagna, a simple, cozy family-run spot with hearty breakfasts.
- Ceresole Reale: Further up the valley, closer to the climb itself. More alpine feel. Check out Hotel Blanchetti — historic and full of mountain charm, right near Lago di Ceresole.
- Noasca: Quieter village, closer to the tunnel section. B&Bs available.
➡️ Tip: Book early if you're riding in July–September; weekends are popular with locals escaping the heat.
🍝 Food & Culture Stops
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Ceresole Reale:
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- Grab a coffee and pastry at Bar Ristorante La Genzianella. Their homemade cakes are legendary after a long climb.
- Try local polenta dishes — rich, filling mountain food perfect for recovery.
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Noasca:
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- Rifugio Massimo Mila: A beautiful lakeside refuge if you want a longer lunch or an overnight with an epic view.
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Top of the Nivolet:
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- There's a small rifugio just before the summit — hot chocolate and simple pasta dishes available. It's basic, but after 1800+ meters of climbing, it tastes like gourmet
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✨ Why I Love This Climb
Because it never gives you the same ride twice.
One day it’s a fight against heat and sun, another day it’s a battle against cold and doubt.
It’s wild, beautiful, humbling.
Colle del Nivolet isn’t just about reaching the summit — it’s about earning it, with every switchback, every turn of the cranks.
And once you get there — whether sweating under a blue sky or freezing into the mist — you feel something very few places in the world can offer:
Freedom. Awe. Joy.
📸 Final Thoughts
Bring layers. Bring your best legs. Bring a camera.
Colle del Nivolet isn’t just a ride — it’s an adventure you’ll remember forever.
See you on the road! 🚴♂️✨
~The Goat
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