Italy · Alps
Colle del Moncenisio
A grand transalpine climb from Susa to the high Mont Cenis plateau and lake, with a long approach and a classic opposite-side ascent from the Maurienne valley.
- Length
- 30.8 km
- Avg gradient
- 5.1%
- Max gradient
- 10%
- Elevation gain
- 1,570 m
- Summit
- 2,083 m
- Hairpins
- 24
Versants
- From Susa — 30.8 km at 5.1% (max 10%)
- From Modane — 33.9 km at 4.5% (max 8%)
History
The Moncenisio is one of the great historic Alpine crossings, used as a trade route between Italy and France for centuries. The modern road was engineered in the early 19th century, and though it's relatively gentle by Alpine standards, the sheer length — 30+ km from Susa — makes it a serious endurance test.
From Susa the climb gains 1,570 m over 30.8 km at only 5.1% average, which means it's a marathon climb rather than a mountain sprint. The road passes through changing terrain and forest, eventually opening to the high Mont Cenis plateau and its small lake.
The pass has hosted the Tour de France multiple times and is prized for its strategic positioning — long enough to wear down weaker climbers but not so steep as to fragment the race. The combination of history, length, and the plateau environment make it a complete Alpine experience.