Cima Grappa is a classic road of Giro d'Italia

# Cima Grappa: A Legendary Alpine Challenge

Nestled in the heart of Italy's Venetian Pre-Alps, Cima Grappa rises to 1,775m (5,769ft) and marks the meeting point of three provinces: Treviso, Vicenza, and Belluno. This isn't just any mountain pass—it's a place soaked in history and serious cycling credentials.

The fully paved Strada Provinciale 140 (SP140) starts from Semonzo and winds its way up in 18.8 km (11.68 miles) of pure Alpine drama. You're looking at a brutal 1,530-meter elevation gain that averages 8.1%, but here's where it gets spicy: the first 11km holds a steady 7.4%, then the final 7.5km kicks up to 8.9% with gradients that spike all the way to 14%. No cruise control possible—you're constantly battling changing slopes across 30 numbered hairpin turns.

The Giro d'Italia loves this place, and once you experience it, you'll understand why. It's the kind of road that tests everything you've got.

At the summit, you'll find the Sacrario Militare del Monte Grappa, a solemn memorial housing over 20,000 soldiers from both sides of World War I and II. The Italian ossuary honors 12,615 soldiers, while the Austro-Hungarian section holds 10,295. Beyond the memorial, you'll encounter the Madonna del Grappa statue, a WWI museum, and monuments to those who suffered through the wars. It's a profoundly moving tribute to the mountain's complex history.