The pass, located in the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, is traversed by the RN193 road and connects the Vecchio Valley with the Gravona river and with the Gulf of Ajaccio.

[1] From the north-east, the climb commences at the village of Vivario from where the ascent is 12.4 km (7.7 mi) long.

[2] The final 4.6 km (2.9 mi) is at an average gradient of 6.5%; this was the route used in the Tour de France 2013.

[3] From the south-west, the climb starts at the junction with the D29 road, close to the small village of Ucciani.

The climb was ranked Category 2 in the "King of the Mountains" competition, with Pierre Rolland being the first across the summit.