Vallepietra – Santissima Trinità Sanctuary Hill Climb

A hill climb in the heart of the Simbruini Mountains

The Vallepietra – Santissima Trinità Sanctuary Hill Climb is one of the most evocative uphill challenges in amateur cycling in Lazio. The race takes place in Vallepietra, a small mountain village in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, nestled within the Simbruini Mountains Regional Natural Park, bordering the province of Frosinone. Established in 2025 and quickly becoming a highly anticipated date in the spring cycling calendar, the event takes riders from the town center to the square of the sanctuary, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in central Italy.

The route: 11 kilometers of pure climbing

The start is set in Piazza Italia, in the heart of Vallepietra, and the finish line is located at the Santissima Trinità Sanctuary parking area, after approximately 11 kilometers of ascent. The numbers speak for themselves: an average gradient of around 10% and about 600 meters of elevation gain, winding through mountain hairpins, forests, and panoramic views overlooking the Aniene Valley. It is a demanding climb that rewards pure climbers while offering all participants one of the most enchanting landscapes in Lazio.

The race format

The race follows the classic individual uphill time-trial format: competitors start one at a time at one-minute intervals, racing against the clock. The event is open to male and female amateur categories (Elite Sport, Junior Sport, Supergentleman, Master, Woman) as well as the MTB category, with both absolute and category rankings. Registrations are managed online via the Speedpassitalia portal, and the race is included in the Lazio ASD Speedpass regional calendar as part of the Cronoscalate Ciociare circuit.

The 2026 edition

The second edition, held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, confirmed the success of the first: 78 athletes at the start, including many from outside the region, with the best time of the day set by Nicolò Severa of the DSM Cycling Team. As per tradition, the day concluded with an award ceremony and refreshments for all participants at the foot of the sanctuary.

The sanctuary and the territory

The finish line of the hill climb is no ordinary destination: the Santissima Trinità Sanctuary, built into a rock face at over 1,300 meters above sea level, attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims every year and is linked to ancient rituals such as the 'pianto delle zitelle'. The race thus becomes an opportunity to discover Vallepietra, its trails, its mountain gastronomy, and the hospitality of an authentic village in the upper Aniene Valley.

Organization and spirit of the event

The event is organized by ASD Ciclistica Ciociara, chaired by Ugo Aquilina, in collaboration with ASD Ciampinobike and with the patronage of the Municipality of Vallepietra. Local entities such as Ara Antica, the Sports Museum, I Muntagnoli, and the Pro Loco of Vallepietra work alongside the organizers: a team that unites sports and regional promotion, making the hill climb a true village festival on two wheels in the Lazio Region.