From Locana (2,011 ft / 613 m) to the Colle del Nivolet (8,570 ft / 2,612 m) it’s 25.2 miles (40.5 km) at an average of 4.9%, with 6,558 ft (1,999 m) of climbing, according to salite.ch. CyclingCols gives 24.9 miles (40 km) and 6,890 ft (2,100 m), and Climbfinder 25 miles (40.3 km) and 6,831 ft (2,082 m): they count more climbing because they add the short descents along the valley. They all agree it’s about 6,600 ft (2,000 m) of climbing.
What the climb is like
- Locana to Noasca. The Orco valley rises gently. That’s a lot of miles at 2-4% with the odd short kicker: ideal for warming up, but they feel long.
- Noasca to Ceresole Reale. This is where the mountains begin: the road climbs through bends and tunnels (CyclingCols shows two options, through the tunnels or on the old road) up to the lake at Ceresole Reale.
- Ceresole to the pass. The final section is the hardest and the most spectacular: hairpins (Climbfinder counts 40 on the whole climb) up to Lake Serrù and then Lake Agnel, now among high alpine meadows. The steepest pitch is around 14%.
The paved road continues a little beyond the pass across the Nivolet plateau; English Wikipedia puts its highest point at 8,665 ft (2,641 m).
History
It’s in Gran Paradiso National Park, on the border between Piedmont and the Aosta Valley. The road by Lake Agnel was a location for several scenes in The Italian Job (1969), including the famous bus ending. The Giro d’Italia first climbed it in 2019, to Lake Serrù: Ilnur Zakarin won and Jan Polanc kept the maglia rosa.
When to go, water and traffic
The final section, above Chiapili di Sopra, is closed from mid-October to mid-May. On summer Sundays cars don’t go past Lake Serrù: that’s the best day to go by bike. Fill your bottles in Ceresole Reale; higher up there are only mountain huts.
What gearing to use
At 3 W/kg (watts per kilo of body weight) and 159 lb (72 kg), you’ll ride about 6.8 mph (11 km/h) on 8%; with a 34x30 that’s about 77 rpm. For nearly three hours of climbing, fit a 34x30 or 34x32. Compare options in the gear calculator.
Tips
- Carry food for three hours and some cash for the huts.
- Go on a summer Sunday: fewer cars on the upper section.
- Bring warm clothes: up above 8,500 ft (2,600 m), it can be cold even in July.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb the Colle del Nivolet from Locana?
A 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 2 h 29 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 2 h 55 min at 2.5 W/kg and 1 h 58 min at 4 W/kg. Work out your own time with your weight and power in the calculator on this page.
Is the Nivolet closed to cars?
On summer Sundays cars stop at Lake Serrù and the last 3.7 miles (6 km) can only be done on foot, by bike or by shuttle. On top of that, the final section is closed from mid-October to mid-May.
Has the Giro finished on the Nivolet?
Not at the pass itself. In 2019 it climbed part of the road and finished at Lake Serrù, at about 7,359 ft (2,243 m); Ilnur Zakarin won.