
Where is Colle del Ghisallo?
Italy, europe
15 km
754 m
easy
Year-round
Cruising through the Province of Como in Italy? You absolutely HAVE to hit Colle del Ghisallo! This mountain pass tops out at 754m (2,473ft) and it's not just about the views (though those are killer!).
Near the peak you'll find the Santuario Del Ghisallo, a tiny church dedicated to the Patron Saint of Cyclists, complete with a cycling museum! Talk about a must-see for bike enthusiasts.
Located near Lake Como in Lombardy (close to the Swiss border), the road winds for 15.0 km (9.32 miles) between Bellagio and Sormano. The road is paved and generally in good shape.
The climb from Bellagio is 10.6 km, gaining 552 meters in elevation, with an average gradient of 5.2% and spikes up to 14% in some spots. It's a challenging but rewarding drive.
The sanctuary has an eternal flame burning in remembrance of cyclists who've passed. You'll find Fabio Casartelli's wrecked bike from his fatal crash, plus bikes from cycling legends like Giuseppe Saronni, Eddy Merckx, and even Coppi and Moser!
Road Details
- Country
- Italy
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15 km
- Max Elevation
- 754 m
- Difficulty
- easy
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