Perched on an isolated plateau of the Maiella massif, deep in the Apennine range, the Blockhaus owes its unusual name to a 19th-century Austrian fort. It’s here that a certain Eddy Merckx claimed his very first stage win at the Giro d’Italia, back in 1967.
A demanding climb in the heart of the Maiella
From Roccamorice, the road climbs 13.6 km for 1,140 m of elevation gain, averaging 8.4%. Several ramps in the second half of the climb exceed 14%, on a narrow road that crosses dense forest before opening onto a wind-swept high-altitude plateau, in the heart of Maiella National Park. The Blockhaus is what Italians call a “salita cieca,” a blind climb: only one side leads to the summit from Roccamorice, with no bailout and no flat stretch to catch your breath.
A history tied to the Giro’s biggest names
The Blockhaus made its Giro d’Italia debut in 1967, where Eddy Merckx claimed his first stage win in the Italian tour, launching him toward a legendary career. In 1984, this climb also proved decisive for Francesco Moser, who dropped Laurent Fignon here in the fight for the pink jersey. More recently it crowned Nairo Quintana in 2017 and Jai Hindley in 2022, confirming its status as one of the Giro’s great judges of form.
Getting the ride right
A compact or triple crankset is essential to get through the sections over 14% without burning out too early. Consistency of effort is key: it’s best to start conservatively on the more rolling opening kilometres, saving something for the demanding final stretch.
When to go
May to September, as the altitude of the final plateau makes the road cooler and sometimes snow-covered outside that window. June and September offer ideal conditions, with moderate cyclist traffic outside of Giro race days.
Good to know
Roccamorice and the nearby small spa town of Caramanico Terme offer simple but welcoming accommodation for cyclists, with convenient access to other roads in Maiella National Park for extending a trip through the Apennines.
