"Fare il Grappa," to do Grappa, is the obligatory climb and right of passage of every local cyclist. The oldest person to do it, so I've been told, is a 90-year-old area resident. Another local rider, Ginesio Ballan, has ridden up Monte Grappa more than 1000 times! It's the tradition of Paduan cyclists to climb the mountain on June 13, the day dedicated to their city's patron, St. Anthony. The climb is now included in the Salite del Giro program described on the Giro Fun page. (You can purchase your card at the Non Profit Center on Via Nievo in Romano d'Ezzelino, at the foot of Monte Grappa). The worst time to climb the mountain is on the weekend, when thousands of cars, motorcycles, scooters, and buses crowd the roads and belch out fumes.

As you can see from the route map below, there are nine ways to the top! All of them are difficult, challenging, and for experienced climbers--and descenders--only. (For an extensive discussion and tips on this topic, read Climbing and Descending).

The red route from Romano is well-traveled and there are a number of bars and restaurants along the way. The blue road from Caupo (a frazione--i.e.section, of the comune of Seren del Grappa) on the north side of the mountain, on the other hand, is lonely, atmospheric, and more beautiful.

The gray route, which was paved only within recent years, has been "discovered" by climb-o-philes and is being discussed in cycling magazines such as CicloTurismo. The yellow route, from Possagno to Bocca di Forca, has been rated the third hardest climb in Italy, with an average gradient of 11.44%. This route too, has garnered its fair share of attention: even the Giro d'Italia commentators have discussed it during stage broadcasts. (The hardest climb in Italy is the Zoncolan, in the neighboring Friuli region).* The purple road from Valle San Liberale to La Vedetta/Salto della Capra, reopened after being cleared of a landslide, is also extremely difficult. It has attracted the attention of climb connoisseurs, and to my knowledge, has not yet been rated. Even experienced, expert local riders advise against descending on these roads. They are not only steep, but narrow, with tight, tricky hairpins--very technical and demanding. In addition, the foliage overhead creates shadows which can hide holes and rough pavement, leading to some rude surprises. These descents are definitely not fun to do. It's not a good idea to ride these roads alone. There are no houses or bars and very little traffic, so there'd be no one to help you if you should get into trouble.

THE GIRO D'ITALIA

The Giro has visited Monte Grappa three times. The last was in 1982 in the Comacchio-San Martino di Castrozza stage, won by Vincente Belda of Spain. In 1974 it was in the Misurina-Bassano stage, won by Eddy Merckx over Moser and Gimondi. (I purchased a videotape of that Giro, The Greatest Show on Earth, hoping to see some of the action on Monte Grappa, but alas, there was none). On both of these occasions, the race went over the mountain but did not go all the way up to the summit (a dead end road). The only time it did so was in the Trento-Monte Grappa stage in 1968, won by Emilio Casalini, a gregario (domestique) of Merckx.

On May 22, 2010, the Giro will return to Monte Grappa. The riders will climb the mountain by the Strada Giardino, which starts in Semonzo and passes through Campo Croce, and descend the Strada Cadorna (the "classic" route), which arrives in Romano d'Ezzelino. It promises to be a spectacular day.

The annual Bassano-Monte Grappa race for U23 category riders will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2010. It was won by Gino Bartali in 1934 (my neighbor, Bruno Foscarini, finished 5th); the names of Leonardo Piepoli, Ivan Gotti, Gilberto Simoni, and Damiano Cunego also appear on the list of winners.

If you climb (or descend) Grappa by the "classic" route (from Romano d'Ezzelino), you can stop at the inn at Ponte San Lorenzo and see autographed photos of Gino Bartali and Marco Pantani.

CYCLING EVENTS

The Monte Grappa Challenge, which will be run for the second time on July 17, 2010, includes 5 of the nine routes. (Here are some photos of the 2009 edition).

Brevetti del Grappa is a program that awards brevets (certificates) to riders who scale 9 (gold level), 6 (silver level), or 3 (bronze level) of the 9 routes, over the course of the season.

There is also an amateur race held in September.

Monte Grappa will also be the cllimactic climb of the new Pinarello Cycling Marathon (formerly Gran Fondo Pinarello). The Salto della Capra route chosen by the organizers is a monster that is even harder than the one that will be tackled by the riders in the Giro d'Italia.

* (Passo Mortirolo, average gradient 10.5% - Zoncolan, 11.5%; Mortirolo, maximum gradient, 18.5% - Zoncolan, 19%). There is actually a much steeper road going up to Malga Palazzo, between Trento and Rovereto, but with some strappi (sections) measuring over 30% (!) It is virtually unrideable on a road bike, and therefore is not included in any list of climbs.  

(top) One of the roads up Grappa's south side (obviously not for the inexperienced or faint of heart) from Valle San Liberale to La Vedetta/Salto della Capra. (below) Along the main road from Seren (more precisely, Caupo), on Grappa's north side.

PAVED ROADS TO CIMA GRAPPA

Click on the map to enlarge it.

THE REWARD

Click on the photo to enlarge it

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