Berici Climbs - Cycling Route of the Carri Road

Climb n° 42

ROAD OF THE WAGONS

42

West side

Road of the Carts – (Montecchio Maggiore)

Gravel climb – BLACK classification

La Road of the Carts It's one of the toughest and most iconic gravel climbs in the Montecchio Maggiore hills. A short but ferocious climb, combining steep gradients, challenging terrain, and sustained effort. There's no bluffing here: it's a test of strength, technique, and mentality, worthy of a classification. Black.

General data

Common: Montecchio Maggiore (VI)
Climb name: Road of the Carts
Type: gravel / agricultural-forestry road
Development: 1,3 km
Difference: 183 m
Average slope: 13,5%
Maximum slope: 24%
Classification: Black
Background: coarse gravel, agricultural concrete, uneven sections
Exposure: south / southwest

Technical analysis of the climb

The altimetric profile is clear and unmistakable: steep slopes immediately, very little room to breathe and an ending that leaves no discounts.

Zone 1 – The entrance

Slope: 14-16%
Background: rough concrete / compacted gravel

You get right into the thick of things. The road steepens as soon as you leave the town and forces you to find the right relationship right awayIt's crucial not to push beyond the limit: starting too fast here means paying dearly later.

Zone 2 – The central body

Slope: 12–18% with peaks above 20%
Background: coarse, irregular gravel

It is the heart of the Strada dei Carri, the stretch that makes it a climb real black.
The road is narrow, the surface often uneven, and the gradient never eases. The curves break the rhythm and force you to constantly rev at low speed. Here, you'll need:

great traction control,
round pedal stroke,
stable torso and well-distributed load.

Zone 3 – The Finale

Slope: 10-14%
Background: more regular but still hard

When the gradient eases slightly, your legs are already exhausted. This is a psychologically decisive stretch: the road seems gentler, but the accumulated effort makes every meter a burden. You emerge into the high forest, arriving almost suddenly.

Gravel sensations

The Road of the Carts is physical and brutal, a climb that is tackled more with the head than with the stopwatch.
The grip is often at the limit, the breathing is short, the heart rate is high. It is not a "fluid" climb: it is continuous struggle Against the slope and the surface. When you reach the top, the feeling is not just of effort, but of achievement.

Naturalistic aspects

The climb develops between:

low vineyards in the initial part,
dense hilly forest in the central and final part.

The landscape is typical of the North-Western Berici Hills, with sudden glimpses of the Vicenza plain. In the shadier sections, the road surface can remain wet for a long time: be especially careful in spring and after rain.

Artistic and historical places

The Strada dei Carri takes its name from the ancient agricultural and military routes that crossed these hills.
Nearby are:

Romeo and Juliet's Castles (Villa Castle and Bellaguardia Castle), symbols of Montecchio Maggiore,
ancient terraces and dry stone walls, signs of a long rural history.

How to deal with it

Relationships: recommended at least gravel 1x with 40–42 teeth rear or 2x with very agile ratio
Tire pressure: slightly lower than normal to improve traction
Technique: sitting as much as possible, load on the front on steep sections
Strategy: constant pace, no unnecessary sprints
Ideal period: spring and autumn (avoid wet ground)

Identikit of the climb

Character: hard, rough, uncompromising
Suitable for: experienced and trained gravel riders
Ideal for: those looking for short but extreme climbs
Not suitable for: beginners or bikes with long gears
Keyword: resistance

In short (Italian only)

La Road of the Carts it's not a climb to be collected absentmindedly: it's a test of characterShort, steep, technical, authentic. One of those climbs that, in the gravel world, make the difference between pedaling and resist.

The numbers of the climb

Length

1.3 km

Medium slope

13.5%

Maximum slope

24%

Positive height difference

183 m

Arrival fee

228 m

Flooring

Asphalt + stretches of dirt road

Municipality of departure

Major montecchio

Altimetric analysis

Climb analysis

Topographic Image

Google Earth Profile

Fountains to quench your thirst

Capitals and sacred places

Technical resources

Weather in Vicenza

Stop & Go

The activities you can encounter along the route or around this climb.

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Difficulty

Black Climb

Very difficult climb suitable only for expert and trained cyclists

Red Climb

Difficult climb for cyclists who have a high level of preparation

Yellow Climb

Medium/difficult climb for cyclists who have a medium/high level of preparation

Blue Climb

Medium/easy climb for cyclists who have a minimum of preparation

Green Climb

Easy climb for beginners

Technical parameters

Score
A score has been assigned to each climb which indicates its position on a difficulty level scale. The simplest climb was identified with the number 1, the most difficult climb was identified with the number 100.

Length
Indicates the length in km of the climb from the starting point to the arrival point

Medium slope
Indicates the average gradient expressed in % of the entire climb

Maximum slope
Indicates the maximum gradient expressed in % reached during the climb

Difference
Indicates the positive difference in altitude in meters (relating only to the uphill part) from the starting point to the arrival point of the climb

Flooring
Indicates the type of flooring of the climb

The Gravel Badges

Badge I - Romeo and Juliet Castles

They symbolize the entire new north-western territory of Berici Climbs, the offshoots of the Castellari Mountains, spectacular places of transition between the Berico plateau and the pre-Alpine slopes.

The very difficult Strada dei Carri (Wagon Road) that leads to the castles in the municipality of Montecchio Maggiore is representative of this part of the park.

Badge II - Sanctuary of Monte Berico

A symbolic site for the entire park, of great and rare beauty, beloved by the Giro d'Italia with two stage finishes in ten years. It also hosts two gravel climbs, including the wonderful and pleasant Colonia Bedin.

Badge III-Villabalzana

It represents a bastion, a port of arrival for many climbs in the northern area. A wonderful place surrounded by greenery with breathtaking views of Lake Fimon and the entire pre-Alpine chain.

Badge IV - Grancona

A symbolic place of the southern block, its large square, the church that looks more like an ancient castle and the panoramic terrace overlooking the Val Liona make Grancona a sought-after and desired destination.

Badge V - Hermitage of Dan Donato

It is a magical place, full of spirituality, where the rock of the hills merges with the human action to draw a perfect frame, a painting from which you can admire the skyline of the Euganean Hills and recover the seconds of time passed, here you can perceive the true essence of Berici Climbs, memento vivere.

VI- Gravel Super Hero Badge

The badge that certifies that you are the real heroes! Climbing 50 gravel climbs is a great feat that deserves to be celebrated, because the effort is hard, but even more so is managing to complete a complex journey in an often complicated and crowded life. This is an achievement of resilience and passion, it's your achievement! Hold on to it!