Monte Zoncolan - Ovaro    

This is the hardest climb I've ever done; harder than Ventoux, Madeleine or Alp d'huez. The climb is relentless and steep with very little room to recover, no switchbacks. I stopped often to recover but then found it extremely difficult to clip in because the inclines were so steep. You need a sense of humor about yourself otherwise it could be humiliating. Sadly, after all that work, the summit is nothing to speak of. One positive, there is little to no traffic on the climb. I suggest a shot of whiskey at the little bar/restaurant in Ovaro at the start of the climb.

climbed Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro - if you take every "hard section" from every mountain and place them end to end THAT is Monte Zoncolan - the gradient NEVER dips below 15% for KM after KM - maxed out at 21.4% - you fear a 25m respite under 10% because you know 19% is upcoming - I did some Pantani-style climbing but had to pace myself as it was my first attempt and only second mountain ascent all time - my first summit was Alpe d'Huez - it was hard but this climb was far BEYOND that - I sprinted the last 350M for the finish line but my time was poorly 1h 25m 44s - a puny 188W average - I would def recommend this climb to every serious roadie - it is a grind all the way up - v. little traffic - the "mountain views" are not great but your legs are in so much pain you tend to stare down at the road - the front upper thigh muscles are cramping up a bit - would I do it again ? - absolutely - now that I know the climb I can attack it a bit more and not be so conservative but if it is your first ascent I would suggest to stay in the saddle and GRIND your way up - there is ZERO chance for ANY recovery on this climb - it is FULL POWER all the time for 10.686KM so pace yourself - hope to do Angliru soon to compare them

At 6km sign where it flattens, I literally had to hold off my tears. That's how proud I was and happy. Zoncolan is everything you hear about it. It is hard, it is steep but manageable (assuming you are not a city biker). I was afraid the first time and was probably a bit too cautious but that is what I recommend to anyone. No need for racing here. Find your rhythm and stick to it.
I started in Tolmezzo, next to the Olympic park which gives you a good warm-up to Ovaro. First three km from Ovaro to Liaris are perfect. You get a feeling of how good your legs are and also you find your rhythm. After Liaris you hit a wall. There aren't many breathers up to 6km, but you do get a few breaks at road bends. I even managed to get a fwe sips of drink without stopping. Also, the road is excellent and wide enough to zig-zag if needed.
I liked the fact that most of it was in the shade as there were 36 degrees in the valley. All in all, a must.

This climb is a monster. The first 2 km from Ovaro to Liariis are so nice and pleasant. Riding out of Liariis you hit a wall that lasts for a very long time. You will look for rest in the hairpins, but there will be no such thing on offer. And you will wonder why the hell you signed up for this. There is only uphill from Liariis, and it is very steep. I took lots of breaks. Only when you reach kilometer 8 from Ovaro will the gradient let off, and the final 2 km are easy pickings. I was geared 52-36/11-30, but I really wish I had 50-34/11-34 for the steepest parts. Lots of professionals use this gearing for Zoncolan as well. It''s easier on the knees and may increase level of enjoyment. A strange thing I experienced was a fit looking guy on an e-bike that passed me about halfway. I then passed him a bit later while he was resting. 15 minutes after I reached the top he came up walking his bike! I asked him if there was something wrong with it, but he said no, he just couldn''t do the rest. Even on an e-bike! So be prepared to give up and walk :) If you want to climb Zoncolan, but aren''t so concerned about doing it the hardest way, look at doing the climb from Sutrio.

Very hard climb. I used 34x27 and it isn´t enough. The way is still steep in the forest and you have no view except last 1,5km. After tunnels is still hard 0,5km to the top. There are some similar ascent around but no one has the steep section too long.

This was a difficult one. It starts steep and continues steep later on.

Actually, it is freaking steep.

the most difficult climb I ever did. The first two is relatively easy although there is a steep part of 11,5%. After the right turn in the little village Liariis it really starts and never ends. Incredible steep parts upto 20% with one kilometer with an average of 19,5%. Your front tire comes off the ground every time time you pull your steer that steep is the climb! Drinking is hardly possible so I had a few ''pitt stops'' to drink. When you reach the tunnels at approx 8,5km you know you are almost at the top. The last steep kilometer is therefor easy! What a fantastic view at the top. I am glad I had the opportunity to do this climb during a vacantion at Grado. Another time ... you never know!

A challenging climb which I did on a hot (36C) day using a 34 x 28. Relentless gradients, great views and distance to summit markers adorned with pics of the great Italian cyclists. Shed at the top sells tee-shirts & hoodies, no drinks so make sure you take plenty yourself.

Climbed on 09/08/2014 in 33x29 in 1h13'taking photos while riding in stormy weather. Filled my jerry cans in Ovaro village at the Ovaro petrol station which has a fountain of chilled sparkling water. Raspberries on the side of the road, but no need to stop. Few cars compared to other Italian passes. Do not climb it for the scenery as you are in the forest. Much harder than the Mortirolo, Fedaia. On the descent, even standing on the brakes, you can feel that the slope is very steep.

What a col! In 2012, I tried it for the first time and had to stop after three km, given my opinion "at a stop you did not drive up the col" I drove to the car disappointed. In June 2014, I tried again and actually rode up in 1.14 hours without stopping. Great to be able to tick off this super tough col!

Great climb. I rode my MTB Corratec. The wether was rainy and on the top was 7degrees. I was very carefully and rode slow because I didn''t know how hard the climb is. I need 1h 33 minutes. I estimated that next time I would be 10 to 15 minutes faster.

WELCOME TO THE HELL!

It''s the perfection, the purity, the force of cycling.

Probably the best climb of the world, for difficulty and view. This is the "Kaiser"!

We organised a Dolomites Tour for a group of Australians and this was the first major climb on the itinery. We started well and thought "what''s all the fuss about" After the 1st km we found out! Having done many big climbs in Italy I have to say Zoncolan lives up to it''s reputation. This was the hardest thing I have ever done on a bike. The climb is relentless with no real hairpins to give a bit of rest. Once you stop it is very difficult to get going again. Lots of front wheel lifting and wobbling. Having said that, a spectacular climb and once through the tunnel at the last km point the sense of relief and achievement is worth the pain. At 95kg and riding a compact with 28 on the back maybe the Zoncolan is not meant for me, but bragging rights last forever!

July 2013: Climbing Monte Zoncolan from Ovaro. I have climbed many cols, but this one really tops them all. Came across it by chance near the campsite. With compact and 34 x 27 it was just manageable for me. At the age of 57, you have to slalom up the 22% sections. Reaching the top after 1 hour and 10 minutes gives a kick!

Climbed last summer in mid-August in the middle of the canary season, and I had made the mistake of taking very little water to lighten up... HORRIBLE! I managed to do it without putting my foot down too, but with great difficulty! I regretted the water at the top because it is impossible to drink while climbing anyway, too steep! I have never seen ramps like that for so long, and it remains my greatest pride in my young cycling career. As I said above, don't take it from the top, otherwise you're dead! personally, I climbed it in 2 stages, 36*29

During my holiday 2011 climbed.
with a buddy of mine already a week around Lake Garda driven from a cottage there. So used to the heat of sunny Italy.

12/08/2011 was going to happen, in the morning with my girlfriend +- 300 km driven towards Ovaro, bike out, some quiet km made to be warm, what ate in the bottom of the village and then started.... < From some local cycling heroes at Lake Garda, I heard that I was crazy to do this (with this weather, 34 degrees)...

from Ovaro to the first village... village, and there it was, the gate to hell.

Immediately you look against a real wall...
The text on the banner was not invented, what a fucking hump. It remains steep as hell...
after the steepest parts I saw the first of the famous tunnels... The last metres shoot past you, partly due to the beautiful signs with photos of all the great cycling heroes...
The last bend through, still ff bang. And up... Luckily my girlfriend was already at the top, she took some pictures... Drinking/eating and going down (with the car via the other side)...

all in all a wonderful cycling afternoon.... Great climb, but REALLY RARGE.... But definitely recommended...

I am a local from Friuli I have done more times form both sides....is wonderful, but is better with mountain bike from the other side from Villa Santina center you take the road for Lauco. You climb from there to the top of the mountain. It is the road untill Lauco then you enter in the forest. There is a road in rough concrete done for forest use then become mix of gravel and red soil with a good grip. With 22x36 ( not 36x22) and 29 inches wheel ( 2,25 and max 2 bars) you go up. Thinking bad words.

It is, i think 30% and also 40% in some parts and the medium is 20%. or more.

When you arrive down on the road before start to climb you think: ok ...it is something that they use for cut trees in forest or is it the water line. No it is the road.

When you arrive in Malga you do the circle and you go up sweetly on the top. There, the view is a gift for your future life. You never forget it if you have a clean day without clouds.

Climbed in 1992 with 3 friends. Is a very nice mountain to go. I think is more harder than mortirolo and angliru (spain) which i rate level 3. My rating is 4 because the level 5 i think is only for the maximum climbs: Scanupia-MalgaPalazzo, Nebelhorn, Saltner-Edelweiss and only some others

I did this climb in mid-July, after a good training period. Once you have passed the gate of hell, the real work starts and you cannot go faster than 3-4 km/h. After every 20 metres, you think of giving up. After every 20 metres you think of giving up... But the signs of old legends like Merkx make you continue. < Once at the top you are glad you are there. Monte Zoncolan definitely a must!

First we went from Tolmezzo to Ovaro. Here I ate a gel. Then up the Zoncolan. At the front I rode on the 30 and at the back on the 25 to Liariis, on a deserted road. At the little square in Liariis I shifted up to gain speed. You see a banner hanging over the road with the text: the gate to hell. You see the road straight up, with the feeling that the first kilometre was still reasonable. I rode the whole Zoncolan on the 30 km/h front and 27 km/h back. After the infamous bend, the violence begins. For 1 kilometre I have to use all my strength to keep on riding. Odometer sometimes below 5 km/hr. With 35 degrees Celsius this is not doable. The next kilometre is slightly less steep and averages 17%. After about 5 km, it is possible to get into your rhythm. You can get it reasonably round. The kilometre before the three tunnels is easy. If you can see the top after the tunnel, it is a bit of a struggle. By the way, the last part is 14 %, but full of adrenaline, this part is easier than 14 % in the forest. < This climb is not doable on a compact. You need at least a triple. It is terrible to do in 35 degrees.