Tour of the 6 passes

Description

Cortina d'Ampezzo","Cortina d'Ampezzo","From Cortina d'Ampezzo bus station, go uphill through the village of Pocol and continue towards the Cinque Torri in the direction of 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. From here, descend to the left towards Livinallongo del Col di Lana. You will cross the magnificent village of Andraz, 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 Arabba, a very characteristic village dominated by the Gruppo della Sella, at the foot of the Passo Pordoi. From here you’ll begin the climb to the Passo Pordoi (2,239 m), located between the Gruppo della Sella and the Gruppo della Marmolada, which connects Arabba with Canazei. The pass is very famous among amateur cyclists both for the beauty of the territory in which it is immersed, and because it has been climbed since the 1940s by the Giro d'Italia, of which it has been Cima Coppi (highest point of the tour) several times. After a short downhill stretch, climb, to the right, towards the Passo Sella (2,240 m), between the Gruppo del Sassolungo and the Gruppo della Sella, which connects Canazei, in Val di Fassa, with Selva di Val Gardena. The rises and falls continue: descent to Val Gardena, ascent to the Passo Gardena (2,121 m), descent to Colfosco, Corvara, La Villa and ascent to San Cassiano. From here you will face the final climb to the Passo Valparola (2,192 m), on the top of which you’ll find 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 now houses the museum of the Great War. In a short time you’ll arrive at the Passo Falzarego again and from here you can complete the tour for a long and enjoyable descent to Cortina d'Ampezzo, enjoying a breathtaking view. Points of interest: Museo Grande Guerra, Passo Falzarego, Passo Valparola, Passo Pordoi and Corvara.