Passo Sella: Cycling Climb

The climb · Italy

About Passo Sella

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Simon Warren’s 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of Italy

Ride out of Selva di Val Gardena towards Plan de Gralba and the Passo Sella puts you straight into the scale of the Dolomites. The road rises through the valley towards the junction for the high passes. With roughly nine kilometres of climbing on this approach, there is time to watch the surroundings change while keeping the pedals moving.

Continue towards Sella and the ascent carries you into open mountain country beneath the Sella massif and Sassolungo. The gradient is sustained rather than wildly erratic, making it possible to find a rhythm even as the bends keep revealing another stretch above. The rock faces are a useful distraction; on the harder sections, you may appreciate any reason to look beyond the front wheel.

The road tops out above 2,200 metres, with the valley now a long way below. This is a climb to ride with enough room in the effort to enjoy the setting. The work is considerable, but the lasting impression is of moving through those enormous walls of pale rock.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start 1,571 m · Summit 2,234 m

Gradient by distance9.20 km / 663 m gain

0 km1.8 km3.6 km5.5 km7.3 km9.1 km

02 / The crux

Where it gets difficult

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

Steepest 500 m average

8.4%

Where to find it

7.20–7.70 km from start

Net height gained: 42 m
Section length: 500 m

The whole climb9.09 km

0 kmFinish

03 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 9.20 km
Elevation gain: 663 m
Average gradient: 7.2%
Climb category: 1
Start elevation: 1,571 m
Summit elevation: 2,234 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

44 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 12.4 km/h

Based on the 9.09 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