Stage 19
Feltre > Alleghe (Piani di Pezzè)
The highly anticipated Dolomite mountain stage starts from Feltre, enclosed by a mighty ring of city walls
Feltre
The eagerly awaited Dolomite queen stage begins in Feltre, a town embraced by mighty medieval walls that seem determined to protect its treasures - just as they once did centuries ago. At its heart lies Piazza Maggiore, an elegant Renaissance square framed by historic buildings such as the Palazzo della Ragione, home to the Teatro de la Sena, and the Castle of Alboino, a symbol of civic power since the 12th century. The approach through Via Mezzaterra reveals noble palaces and striking architectural perspectives, before history gives way to spirituality at the Cathedral of San Pietro, home to remarkable treasures including a 13th-century pink marble bishop’s chair and a Byzantine cross from 542 AD, carved from boxwood with 52 scenes from the New Testament. Beneath the cathedral square lies an important archaeological area preserving traces of Roman Feltria, telling the story of the city’s evolution through the Middle Ages.
Shortly after the start, the race passes through Cesiomaggiore, home to the Toni Bevilacqua Cycling Museum, where visitors can admire dozens of vintage bicycles and memorabilia belonging to some of cycling’s greatest champions. After crossing the imposing Certosa di Vedana, a magnificent 15th-century monastery complex, the route reaches Agordo. Set along the Cordevole River, the town offers breathtaking views of the Belluno Dolomites, particularly Monte Agner, the Pale di San Lucano and the Moiazza, the southern extension of the Civetta massif. The lavish Villa Crotta–De’ Manzoni, originally the residence of the owners of the Imperina Valley mining centre, stands as Agordo’s grandest monument.
Alleghe
From here, the road climbs into quieter Dolomite landscapes via the Passo Duran, linking Agordino with the Val di Zoldo. In Forno di Zoldo, the Museum of Iron and Nails tells the story of a period — from the 16th to the 19th century — when ironworking and nail production sustained the local economy, before Zoldo’s people later became famous for opening artisanal gelaterias around the world.
In Selva di Cadore, the route brushes past the legacy of the Man of Mondeval, a Mesolithic hunter whose remains were discovered nearby in 1987. He is the star attraction at the Vittorino Zacchetta Museum, which also explores local archaeology and the valley’s history. A few kilometres later comes the peaceful beauty of Lake Alleghe, serenely framed today by forests and the towering slopes of the Civetta massif. Yet the lake itself was born from tragedy: in 1771, a landslide blocked the Cordevole River, creating the body of water seen today. Now a thriving mountain resort appreciated year-round for its warm hospitality, Alleghe marks the beginning of the final climb to Piani di Pezzè, a destination beloved by hikers, climbers and mountain lovers alike. Here, beneath the immense face of the Civetta, nature reveals itself in all its grandeur - close enough, it almost feels within reach.
