An isolated massif overlooking the Veneto plain between Bassano del Grappa and the Piave valley, Monte Grappa offers from Romano d’Ezzelino one of the longest and most complete ascents in the Italian Prealps.
The route
From Romano d’Ezzelino, at the foot of the massif, the road climbs for 26.4 km to the summit at 1,726 m, gaining 1,567 m at an average of 5.9%, with a sustained section at 11%. The climb passes through villages, then beech forest, before opening onto exposed, windy pastures near the top.
How to approach the ride
The steadiness of the gradient over such a distance calls for careful pacing from the very first kilometers. The road is fully paved and in good condition, with no real flat stretch over nearly 27 km, making it one of the most demanding ascents in the region for anyone not properly prepared.
When to go
May to October: the exposed, windy summit can stay cool or even snowbound in spring, while summer offers the most stable conditions for a climb this long.
Good to know
The summit holds the sacrario militare, an imposing terraced ossuary dedicated to soldiers who died in the 1917-1918 fighting, along with a small museum and a refuge for refueling. Bassano del Grappa, near Romano d’Ezzelino, is worth a visit for its famous covered bridge over the Brenta.