Colle del Nivolet: Cycling Climb

The climb · Italy

About Colle del Nivolet

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Simon Warren’s 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of Italy

On the approach through Ceresole Reale, the Nivolet gives you time to settle in. The road works its way past the reservoir, with easier stretches that let you lift your head and take in the upper Orco valley. Enjoy them. This approach runs for roughly 21 kilometres, and much of the serious climbing is still ahead.

Beyond the gentler opening, the gradient becomes more persistent and the bends carry you into the high landscape of Gran Paradiso. Serrù and Agnel give the ascent its landmarks: water held beneath bare mountain slopes, with the road turning upwards around them. The easing near the lakes is welcome, but there is another sustained climb before the pass. By then, even an ordinary rise can feel substantial.

The reward is the view back over those lakes and the long road you have climbed. Nivolet suits a rider who enjoys watching a valley change beneath the wheels, and who can accept that the best part of the scenery arrives when the legs are least interested in it.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 1,466 m · Summit 2,573 m

Gradient by distance21.15 km / 1,199 m gain

0 km4.2 km8.5 km12.7 km16.9 km21.2 km

02 / The crux

Where it gets difficult

Choose a distance to find the steepest continuous section of the climb.

Steepest 500 m average

12.7%

Where to find it

19.20–19.70 km from start

Net height gained: 64 m
Section length: 500 m

The whole climb21.15 km

0 kmFinish

03 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 21.15 km
Elevation gain: 1,199 m
Average gradient: 5.2%
Climb category: HC
Start elevation: 1,466 m
Summit elevation: 2,573 m

Current weather

At the climb start

Loading weather…

Weather data: MET Norway

04 / Your effort

How long would it take?

Enter the power you could hold for the whole climb. We calculate a moving time from the elevation profile and the forces you ride against.

Sustained power

W/kg

Use your intended climbing effort, rather than FTP unless you can hold it for the predicted duration.

Rider weight (kg)

Bike + kit weight (kg)

Bike + kit includes clothing, bottles and luggage.

Advanced settings

Defaults represent a road-bike scenario. Adjust these settings to match your tyres, drivetrain and riding position.

Effective drag area (CdA) (m²)

Rolling resistance (Crr)

Drivetrain efficiency (%)

Modelled moving time

1 h 28 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 14.4 km/h

Based on the 21.15 km elevation profile. Assumes steady power, with no stops, braking or drafting. Rounded to the nearest minute.

The science behind the calculation

For each part of the stored profile, we solve the steady-state cycling power equation for speed, then add distance ÷ speed across the climb. Gravity uses rider + equipment weight; available power is W/kg × rider weight. This uses the profile’s distance and elevation together, without mixing in another route’s metrics.

Power × efficiency = gravity + rolling resistance + air resistance + bearing losses

The resistance equations are adapted from Martin et al. (1998), Validation of a Mathematical Model for Road Cycling Power. Air density changes with profile altitude using NASA’s standard-atmosphere model. This calculator’s adaptation has not been independently validated.

It predicts travel at the power you enter, including on descents. It does not model acceleration, cornering, braking, traffic, wind, changing weather or fatigue. At altitude, choose power you can sustain there: thinner air reduces drag, but this model does not predict its effect on your ability to produce power. Profile quality and assumed equipment settings also affect the result.

05 / On the ground