Thanks to the stage finish in no less than 4 editions of the women’s Giro d’Italia (2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019), this climb has risen to international headlines.
San Domenico, thanks in part to the nearby Simplon Pass (at an elevation of 2005 m.a.s.l.) and its excellent hotel infrastructure, has for the past few years become a coveted training site for some of the world’s top professional cyclists.
Between Domodossola and Varzo there is the first section up to the Napoleonic bridge at Crevoladossola and leading to the junction between the Divedro Valley and the Antigorio Valley: difficult, but not prohibitive. The same is true from the exit of the old SS 33 until the arrival in Varzo.
The real climb, however, is the one starting from the Divedro Valley capital, which should not be underestimated, despite the fact that the elevation gain appears to be not excessive.