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Where to Bike Tour the Classic Bike Climbs of Italy

BIKE TOURING PASSO FEDAIA CLIMB FROM THE TOWN OF CAPRILE

Bike Touring Italy's Passo Fedaia

The Bike Tour up from Caprile is the classic route and one used most by the Giro d'Italia, the road follows ss 641 up the valley for 15.5 km to reach the pass from the southern side.  The route up to Passo Fedaia from Caprile can be deceptive and although not particularly high on the difficulty scale this touring route can be a challenge and is considered by many one of the hardest climbs in the Dolomites. I enjoy climbing up to Passo Fedaia from Caprile much more than the Canazei side because there is less traffic, and the environment is more open. You have a great view of the Marmolade mountain group, and you can see your objective most of the route. 

GETTING TO THE PASSO FEDAIA CLIMB

If you are planning to ride up Passo Fedaia from Caprile you must reach the Agordo Valley. During a Dolomite's Bike Tour most people find it is easiest to base themselves in Alleghe, Arabba, or Canazei, all three give you multi day route options. There are no train lines close enough to allow you to do this route in a day if you are not prepared to ride 80 to 100 miles.

PASSO FEDAIA BIKE CLIMB

Bike Touring Italy's Passo Fedaia from Caprile

REGION Veneto Region
PROVINCE Belluno Province
MOUNTAIN GROUP Marmolada Mountain Group
DEPARTURE POINT Caprile
LENGTH 13.5 kilometers
START ELEVATION 998 meters a.s.l.
MAXIMUM ELEVATION 2236 meters a.s.l.
ELEVATION GAIN 1238 meters
AVERAGE GRADE 7.5%
MAXIMUM GRADE 18%
AVERAGE TIME TO RIDE  1:30
SPECIAL NOTES  
   

ROUTE NOTES

Bike Touring Italy's Passo Fedaia

View of Malga Ciapela in the lower part of the valley.

Section 1

The starting point of the climb is at the village of Caprile, part of the Alleghe community, and is on SS 203, also intersecting this point is SS 641 coming from Selva di Cadore and Passo Giau.  Arrive in Caprile from the south you are taking the left over the bridge and following the signs to Passo Fedaia.  If you are coming down the Valley from Arabba you will take a right once you arrive at the intersection just prior to Caprile.  Your first 1.7 km of the climb is an easy spin averaging around 4.5% then a short ramp of 300 meters at 9%.  After this short section the climb is very ridable, passing through the town of Rocca Pietore, (captial of the Val Pettorina, where the local's have keep alive te traditions of the Ladin people.) There is another short ramp of 8% before reaching Malga Ciapela, and this is where you start the hard part of the climb.

Bike Tour Italy Passo Fedaia

Last section just before the pass.

Section 2

From the seven kilometer point the ride stays steady above 10% grade for the remaining 6 km of the climb. At the eight kilometer mark you will pass Malga Ciapela and the ski lifts, this is a point to get water or take a break. At the 10 kilometer mark you have a 300 m of 18 percent grade which is the steepest part of the climb. From here you have several switchbacks averaging just over 10% grade with a last ramp of 15% just before he turned the corner to see the Passo Fedaia sign and refugio.

Bike Touring Passo Fedaia Dolomite's

The Fedaia Pass.

Need Help Planning Your Italy Vacation

Italy is one of the most diverse places in the world to visit but there is more to the country then Venice, Florence, Roma, Cinque Terre and a couple of other top attractions.  If you plan you days well and understand how to move around within the country you can a great cost effective vacation full of activity, history, culture, and great food and wine.  Contact us to get the insights to travel in Italy.  We offer:

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