Cortina – Alta Badia

Description

From the Cortina d'Ampezzo bus station, go up through the village of Pocol and continue towards the Cinque Torri towards Passo Falzarego (2,109 m). The pass is located between Lagazuoi and Col Gallina in front of Sass de Stria, and also offers a splendid view of the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. The Falzarego, with an endless series of hairpin bends and steep slopes among breathtaking scenery, is one of the key passes of the Dolomite stages of the Giro d'Italia, made famous by the feats of the strongest climbers of all time. For example, it was on the Passo Falzarego that Fausto Coppi defeated Gino Bartali for the first time in a mountain climb, in the 1946 edition. Continue to the right towards the Passo Valparola (2,192 m), on the top of which there is the Rifugio Valparola as well as a small alpine lake. Given the importance of the pass, at the time of the First World War, when the border between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire passed through here, the Tre Sassi fort was built on its top, which today houses the museum of the Great War. From here descend towards San Cassiano, at the foot of the Lavarella and Conturines massifs, towards La Villa. From here continue to Corvara and uphill towards the easy and scenic Passo Campolongo (1,875 m) which, with Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella and Passo Gardena, forms the Sellaronda: a renowned skiing, hiking and cycling route around the Gruppo della Sella. At the Giro d'Italia it was climbed for the first time in 1949, and since then it has been included in the route in several editions. Descend for 5 kilometres towards Arabba, the main tourist centre of the Valle di Fodom and continue passing by the castle of Andraz, a fortification dating back to the eleventh century where a narrow road unravels between the tabià, the wooden barns typical of these valleys, and the characteristic houses. The church of the S.S. Trinità from 1600 and its medieval castle in Castello are both well-known. Continue towards Colle Santa Lucia, where on the left is the beginning of the challenging climb to Passo Giau (2,236 m) - from there you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Dolomites and the Conca Ampezzana and admire a large, beautiful flowery pasture with grazing cows. This is followed by a fun, scenic final descent towards Cortina d'Ampezzo.