5 climbs with a large difference in altitude in Piedmont

In Italy you have many regions with beautiful climbs. Of course, everyone knows the rolling hills of Tuscany and for the more experienced cyclist, the Dolomites Few secrets. About the Stelvio, Not to mention Mortirolo and Gavia. The region Piedmont It is often mentioned in all the stories. Sometimes literally, but mostly figuratively. Villages like Sestriere and Bardonecchia are more recognizable to ski fans than to cyclists. Yet the Piedmont (as we say in the Netherlands) is a region that you should actually have visited at least once. It is relatively quiet for cyclists. Perhaps because the challenges you are presented with are quite tough. Just ask Steven Kruijswijk about Piedmont and he will show a painful grimace. We searched for the 5 climbs with the greatest elevation difference in Piedmont. Join us and enjoy.

1. Colle del Nivolet

This is an absolute classic. From Courgnè, you climb a total of 56 kilometers, and in those kilometers you cover a total of 2320 meters of elevation gain. Once you’re up there, you’re above 2600 meters, to be precise. The climb is spectacular, with many hairpin turns that create photo-worthy moments. The first part of the climb goes through the Valle dell’Orco and is actually more of a false flat than a real climb. At the small church of Madonna del Caravaggio, the real work begins. Do not underestimate this climb because there are long stretches above 9%,000 meters. A benefit: the maximum is only 12%,000 meters. So it’s not a strain, but you are still on the move for a while.

2. Colle del Fauniera

Even ten west of the town of Cuneo, where one finds Fausto Coppi on horseback and where you can ride the GF Fausto Coppi every year, you find the Colle Del Fauniera. This is a bit shorter in length than the Nivolet, but in terms of challenge it will definitely be a tough climb. Because if you cover 31 kilometers with 1849 meters of elevation gain, you are talking about a tough, long climb. You can climb the Fauniera, which has a peak at just under 2500 meters, from three sides, but the climb from Valgrana is the longest and ultimately the most difficult. What makes this climb extra special is the small monument that was erected for the ‘pirate’. Marco Pantani established his name here, on the slopes of the Fauniera in the Giro d’Italia of 1999. If you ride up via the southern variant, it is well worth stopping there.

3. Colle delle Finestre

While the painful north side of this climb, from Susa, only covers ‘1700’ vertical meters, the other two variants are much more friendly in nature. You then cover a height of 1824 meters in 49 kilometers, but you do so at an average of 3.5%. The north side is a 18-kilometer climb where you experience an almost continuous ascent above 9%. That is a kind of double Giau and that is not even enjoyable. According to many, that variant is also one of the toughest climbs in Italy.

Toetje is the last piece of unpaved terrain you encounter. It is a magnificent monster, with which you finally reach the top at 2149 meters. Above the trees and with a stunning view.

4. Colle dell’Agnello

How many times would Steven Kruijswijk wake up, soaking in the sweat and reeling from the experience? After the climb up the Italian Agnello, the descent to France followed. The Shark of Messina (Vicenzo Nibali) put him under pressure and between the white snow walls in France, ‘Kuifje’ succumbed. The blow was immense and many will still remember where the Colle dell’Agnello is located. The top of this two-country climb is just southwest of Pinerolo. From the village of Sampeyre, you cover over 1,800 meters of elevation gain in 31.6 kilometers. That’s not cat shit. Then you also have to take into account that the steepest kilometers are saved for last. If you have 9 kilometers left, the meter actually won’t go below 10% and you drive for 10.5% kilometers, which is even steeper. It’s logical that the pros had to take a breather in the descent as well. A brilliant 4th place in this list.

5. Colle Esischie

The neighbor of the Colle del Fauniera is the Colle Esischie. This very unknown climb covers a total of 1736 meters of elevation gain and is therefore the fifth on our list. It also starts from Valgrana, but you take a slightly different route. In the end, you end up at an altitude of 2368 meters. Here again, the danger lies in the tail, so save your energy at the beginning. Often this col is also ridden together with the Fauniera. Together with the Fauniera, the Colle della Bandia and Colle di Valcavera, the Esische forms the Colle di Cuneo.