From the floor of the Pescara valley (351 ft / 107 m) to the end of the Blockhaus road (6,785 ft / 2,068 m), via Roccamorice, it is 19.6 miles (31.6 km) at an average of 6.2% with 6,434 ft (1,961 m) of climbing, according to salite.ch. CyclingCols gives 19.4 miles (31.2 km) and 6,624 ft (2,019 m), and Climbfinder 19.3 miles (31.1 km) and 6,575 ft (2,004 m): they add a little more because they count the short descents. Nearly 6,500 ft (2,000 m) of climbing puts it on a par with the great Alpine climbs.
What the climb is like
- From the valley to Roccamorice. The first few miles climb between fields and villages up the side of the Maiella, at irregular grades. This is the hottest part.
- From Roccamorice to the forest. The road keeps climbing the mountain with harder sections; CyclingCols counts 3.7 miles (6 km) above 10% over the whole climb and about 3.1 miles (5 km) in a row at 9.8%.
- Upper section. Above the forest the road comes out onto an open slope of mountain pine and rock. This stretch is exposed to wind and sun. The maximum grade is around 13% (Climbfinder gives 13.4% over 100 m / 330 ft).
The road ends above 6,500 ft (2,000 m), near the Rifugio Pomilio. The summit of Monte Blockhaus, at 7,031 ft (2,143 m), is a little higher.
Its history
The name comes from a wooden blockhouse built on the summit around 1863 to fight banditry; an Austrian military commander called it by the German word block-haus. The fort was used until 1867 and only the ruins of its base remain.
In the Giro d’Italia it is a legendary finish: Eddy Merckx won here in 1967, followed by Franco Bitossi (1968), José Manuel Fuente (1972), Moreno Argentin (1984), Stefano Garzelli (2009), Nairo Quintana (2017), Jai Hindley (2022) and Jonas Vingegaard (2026), according to Italian Wikipedia. Not all of those finishes came up via Roccamorice: there are two other sides, via Lettomanoppello and via Fara Filiorum Petri.
When to go, water and traffic
The upper section has snow in winter and spring; the best season is June to October. In summer, start very early to avoid the heat on the lower part. Fill your bottles in Roccamorice: higher up there are very few options. Traffic is light on weekdays.
What gearing to use
At 3 W/kg (watts per kilogram of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg), you ride about 5.6 mph (9 km/h) on 10%; on a 34x32 that is about 67 rpm. For more than two hours of climbing, a 34x32 is the sensible choice. Compare in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Carry food for more than two hours.
- Watch out for the wind on the upper section, with no trees for shelter.
- Bring warm clothes for the descent: with almost 6,500 ft (2,000 m) of difference, it is usually more than 18 °F (10 °C) colder at the top than in the valley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb the Blockhaus via Roccamorice?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 2 hr 20 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 2 hr 45 min at 2.5 W/kg and 1 hr 48 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
Who has won on the Blockhaus?
Among others, Eddy Merckx (1967), José Manuel Fuente (1972), Nairo Quintana (2017), Jai Hindley (2022) and Jonas Vingegaard (2026), according to Italian Wikipedia.
Why is it called the Blockhaus?
After a wooden blockhouse built on the summit around 1863 to fight banditry; an Austrian military commander gave it that German name. The ruins of its base remain.