BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE
Testing route suitable for very well-trained cyclists who are up to the climbs (in terms of gradients and distance), in particular the ascent leading to Fedaia Pass.What makes it different from the usual cycling circuits in the Dolomites is that, if you want, you can ride along the existing cycle paths in the sections along the valley floor.
Technical info
Starting from Caprile the route immediately negotiates Fedaia Pass, at first on steep ramps and then gentler slopes.
Up to Sottoguda the gradients decrease constantly. From Sottoguda the gradient changes all the way to the tunnel following the bridge, where you can enjoy the Serrai gorge.
A short descent leads to one of the best-known sectors of this road in the cycling world: the Malga Ciapela straight section. Once the route starts to climb, the gradients never go below 10% and, the initial 3km run on a straight ascent at an average gradient of 12% and max. of 18% at the end of the climb (Capanna Bill). From a succession of hairpin bends do not make the incline less steep (still two-digit gradients) up to the last turn where, along a stretch at 15%, you may feel the climb is about to be over.
At Fedaia Pass you can stop and get some refreshments as well as recover from the effort by riding along the artificial lake (a dam at each end of it).
Initially along the descent to Canazei there is a tunnel followed by some rockfall protection barriers. It is a fast-rolling descent with just four hairpin bends at approximately mid-way. Past Penia, all the way to Canazei the road runs entirely downhill but on gentle slopes.
At Canazei you can enter the Val di Fiemme cycle path (in winter it is the track of part of the iconic Marcialonga) that, running between the Avisio stream and the ss.48, leads all the way to Moena. There, bypassing the ss.48, you face the San Pellegrino Pass ascent.
The incline runs on constant slopes that, in the final part, become gentler.
The fast-rolling descent passes through Falcade down to Cencenighe Agordino (mind a tunnel on a bend in the final part). From Cencenighe you climb up back to the start point. Some sections of the old road have been turned into a bike lane and are usually open to traffic (except in case of damages caused by the Vaia storm); they are a very good alternative to the main road. Past Alleghe, a cycle path (very busy with pedestrians) runs along the road all the way to Caprile.
NOTES:
After the Vaia storm in October 2018 the Road of Serrai di Sottoguda is closed.
In summer mind the heavy traffic that includes trucks and tourism buses, both uphill and downhill.
ROUTE CHANGES DURING YOUR RIDE:
If you have any difficulty, you cannot make any shortcut of the route.
Are you ready to ride
with Komoot?
