Italiaoutdoors Custom Vacation Planner and Guide

Where to Bike Tour the Classic Bike Climbs of Italy

BIKE TOURING PASSO SELLA FROM THE  PORDIO INTERSECTION CLIMB  PASSO SELLA BIKE PROFILE REGION Trentino Alto Adige Region PROVINCE Trento Province MOUNTAIN GROUP Sella Mountain Group START POINT Pordoi Interstection LENGTH 5.6 KM START ELEVATION 1796 meters a.s.l. MAXIMUM ELEVATION 2244 meters a.s.l. ELEVATION GAIN 448 meters AVERAGE GRADE 8.3 % MAXIMUM GRADE 14 %

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: Travel Consultant- book time online for a web chat to answer your questions about traveling in Italy. Travel Planning - need help outlining and planning your adventure in Italy. Scheduled Tours - each month we lead a scheduled tour for those looking to join a small group to explore. Travel support:  Bike Touring - routes, bike rental, bag transfers.  Walking/Hiking Tours - routes, bag transfers. Booking assistance and suggested contacts.

For More Travel Planning Assistance

Italiaoutdoors Custom Vacation Planner and Guide

Where to Bike Tour the Classic Bike Climbs of Italy

BIKE TOURING PASSO MANGHEN FROM THE TOWN OF BORGO VALSUGANA BIKE CLIMB Passo Manghen is one of the many classic bike routes you should ride if you are visiting Italy. Passo Manghen is located in the Lagorai Group of the Dolomite Mountain, in the Trento-Alto Adige region. The pass connects the valley of Valsugana with the Fiemme valley, and links the two towns of Castelnuovo and Molina. Sitting at 2047 meters (6,716 ft.) it is amongst the highest roads in Italy and the climb itself is rated in the top 20. (for Italy).   The pass of Manghen has been part of the Campagnolo granfondo for several years and in 2008 the Giro d'Italia passed over on it's way to finishing in San Martino di C. This year the 2012 Giro d'Italia will be passing over Passo Manghen once again.  This is a great ride and much more challenging then it looks on paper. PLANNING Maps: This climb is on both the Touring Club Italian Trentino-Alto Adige Region map and Veneto Region  Map. The best time to ride this route is between June and October.  The pass could be open in other months depending on snow conditions. TRAVEL GUIDE PASSO MENGHEN, ITALIAN DOLOMITES REGION Trentino-Alto Adige Region PROVINCE Trento Province MOUNTAIN GROUP Lagorai Mountain Group NEAREST TOWN Borga Valsugana START ELEVATION 381 meters MAXIMUN ELEVATION 2042·meters ELEVATION GAIN 1661·meters LENGTH 23.4·meters AVERAGE GRADE 7 % MAXIMUN GRADE 15% AVERAGE TIME 2 hours GETTING TO THE RIDE Passo Manghen can be reached by riding the Valsugana bike path from Trento south or north from Bassano del Grappa.  If you wanted to ride just the climb you can take the train that runs between Trento and Bassano del Grappa, getting off in Borga Valsugana The Ride from Castelnuovo to Passo Manghen The Passo Manghen bike climb is a great bicycle tour to do while you are Italy. This is a very isolated climb so you should consider doing the ride supported or as part of a group.  If you are planning on doing just the ascent and descent from Castelnuovo or Borgo Valsugana you should have no problems.   The Valsugana Bike Path that runs from Lago Caldonezzo to Bassano del Grappa. If you are arriving by bicycle riding from Bassano you can start the climb from Castelnuovo or Borgo Valsugana.  Riding from Trento you should just start the climb at Borgo Valsugana.  There is also a small train that runs between Trento and Bassano del Grappa that offers bici-train service. You will need to get off at the Borgo Valsugana stop. If you are driving I would park in Castelnuova, there is a free parking area (except Saturday morning) where as Borgo Valsugana most of the parking is pay.  For more options on organizing the ride or questions contact me via email. Starting from Castelnuovo just need to follow the signs for Passo Manghen. The first 2·km is up to a rotary that links you  with the road from Borgo Valsugana and you are always following the signs toward Passo Manghen. My computer was reading 6% for most of the way up this section. After the rotary you have a section averaging 4.9% until you reach Telva, you do not actually go into the town, the main road contours around and at the 4.4 km point you will turn right following the signs toward Passo Manghen. Up to this point this is the most scenic part of the ride with some great views of the Valsugana in the direction of Bassano del Grappa and the Asiago Plateau. After Telva and turning right you start riding though the val Calamento forest for a little more than 4 km. This section averages 6.7% and has sections up to 11%. On my computer it showed 12 and 13% several times. Around the 8 km mark there is a small bar on the right if you need supplies or restroom this is generally you last open establishment on most days. At about the 9.2 km mark the climb will lessen to about 4.8% average until you get to the 12.5 km point. This is the best place to refuel and drink, try to resist driving hard during this section or you will pay later. There are a couple of fountains along this section be sure to fill up because after val Calamento village there is only a couple of mountain streams if you run out of water. From the 12.5 km point you are nearing the village of val Calamento. ·From here you are riding 9.4% average with most of the next 2 km be greater than 10% with a short section reading 12-13%.  After the village the road narrows and you will have a length of road that will average 5.7% up until the 17.4 km mark.  This is also the first time you will get to see the pass in the distance. From the 17.4 km mark you will now face the hardest part of the climb. The average grade up to from this point is 9.9%, and you will have just over 7 km remaining. There are several points of 12 and 13% as the road crawls up the bowl leading to the pass.  At the pass there is the sign post and a cross. If you continue over the pass and about 100 meters down on the Molina side is a Refugio that is generally open. But plan on being alone and self sufficient. During the descent back down the valley there were two to three sign posts for 15%. Also, my computer read about 2 % harder in many of the listing on salita.ch's and city bikes profiles. The profile I posted is from the 2008 official Giro altimeter and even it has a few different reading then my computers.  There is little during traffic during the week days, but this pass is on the motorcycle touring list so on Saturday and Sunday there can be several motorcycles on the road, I would try to schedule my ride on a different day.

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: Travel Consultant- book time online for a web chat to answer your questions about traveling in Italy. Travel Planning - need help outlining and planning your adventure in Italy. Scheduled Tours - each month we lead a scheduled tour for those looking to join a small group to explore. Travel support:  Bike Touring - routes, bike rental, bag transfers.  Walking/Hiking Tours - routes, bag transfers. Booking assistance and suggested contacts.

For More Travel Planning Assistance

Italiaoutdoors Custom Vacation Planner and Guide

Where to Bike Tour the Classic Bike Climbs of Italy

BIKE TOURING PASSO BROCON FROM THE TOWN OF GRIGNO BIKE CLIMB BiIke Touring Passo Brocon from Grigno is a great ride that allows you to transfer from Val Surgana and over the Lagorai Mountain Group to Fiera di Primiero, and  the passes of the Pale di San Martino Mountain Group (Passo Rolle and Passo Cereda). To get to the start of the climb you can either ride up the valley from the town of Bassano del Grappa or down the valley from city of Trento using the Valsugana bike path.  The ride is in the Dolomites of  the Trento Province, in the Trentino Alto Adige Region. BIKE TOURING ITALY'S CLASSIC CLIMB PASSO BROCON FROM GRIGNO  

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: Travel Consultant- book time online for a web chat to answer your questions about traveling in Italy. Travel Planning - need help outlining and planning your adventure in Italy. Scheduled Tours - each month we lead a scheduled tour for those looking to join a small group to explore. Travel support:  Bike Touring - routes, bike rental, bag transfers.  Walking/Hiking Tours - routes, bag transfers. Booking assistance and suggested contacts.

For More Travel Planning Assistance

Italiaoutdoors Custom Vacation Planner and Guide

Where To Bike Tour the Classic Bike Climbs of Italy

BIKE TOURING PASSO STELVIO BIKE CLIMB FROM THE TOWN OF PRATO DELLO STELVIO For anyone wishing to Bike Tour the Alps of Italy the Stelvio Pass should be on your 'must ride list'.  The Stevlio Pass is one of the highest paved mountain roads in Italy and has been part of bicycle history since the Giro d'Italia first passed over it in the 1950's. Passo Stelvio is located in the Adamello mountain group and marks the regional boundary between Trentino Alto Adige Region and Lombardy Region. WHAT IS THE PASSO STELVIO RIDE LIKE To be honest Passo Stelvio is not for everyone, and if you attempt to ride without the proper gears or fitness level this is one of those bike climbs that can make you hurt, put your foot down, and overall humble you as a cyclist.  The climb itself is not overwhelming due to the steepness, but it is a very long climb with a continuous effort, instead most riders have problems due to not understanding how to pace themselves or not eating and drinking properly during the attempt.  The ride can be broken into three sections: the first section is difficult to find a pace due to the changing grades, the second section is a grind because you are isolated in the forest, and the last section is a thrilling panoramic view that can challenge your mental toughness due to fatigue and altitude.  GETTING TO PASSO STELVIO FROM PRATO allo STELVIO The classic route up to Passo Stelvio is to start in Bolzano and ride to the top, but this normally means you have some type of a support vehicle or you are ending your ride with a descent down into Bormino.  However, if you want to shorten the ride you can take a train from Bolzano to Merano then ride the Val Venosta Bike Path or take the Venosta train up the valley to a closer start point.  If you opt to ride from Bolzano it is good to do so with a group and have vehicle support.  If you are a solo rider I suggest you shuttle up to Castelbello on the train, from here you have a good 20 km to warm up your legs before the climb.  If you are planning to ride both sides (over and back) I suggest taking the train to Malles or Spondinig to start, over and back will be a 70 km ride with over 4000 meters of climbing.   RIDING THE STELVIO PASS FROM THE NORTH SIDE REGION Trentino Alto Adige Region PROVINCE Bolzano Province MOUNTAIN GROUP Adamello Mountain Group POINT OF DEPARTURE Prato allo Stelvio LENGTH OF CLIMB 25.4 km ELEVATION AT DEPARTURE 916 meters a.s.l. MAXIMUM ELEVATION 2,758 meters a.s.l. ELEVATION GAIN 1,842 meters AVERAGE GRADE 7.3% MAXIMUM GRADE 14% AVERAGE TIME TO RIDE 1:40 to 3:20 hours SPECIAL NOTES Weather on the Stelvio can change quickly and vary from the valley so ensure you have a jacket, gloves and leg warmers with you.  This is a ride best done with support. ROUTE NOTES: The Bike Touring route up Passo Stelvio, on the northeastern side, starts in the small village of Prato allo Stelvio, and presents a climb 25.4 meters long and a medium grade of 7.4%.  There are 48 marked switchbacks to work your way through that will help you move from 916 meters above sea level to 2758 meters above sea level. The total elevation gain is 1842 meters and the fit cyclist should give themselves 2 hours and 30 minutes to make the climb.   SECTION 1 Leaving Prato allo Stelvio you will see the Passo Stelvio Sign this is where the grade starts to increase and you have a 6 to 7 km section to get a good rhythm established.  It is very important to not over ride your limit.  During this section you will be following close to the stream 'Trafoi', there is one tunnel but it is open on the left side so there is no need for a light. This section ends once you cross the bridge over the stream.  SECTION 2 Passing over the bridge you will start one of the harder sections and the first continuous grind that makes Passo Stelvio so hard, but this is also where you start to have a wonderful view of the Livrio and Punta del Chiodo glaciers.  At 8.5 km you will start the 48 switchback countdown and your next check point is Trafoi (1534 meters), a small community that has a couple of bars, and there is a water point just before the town. After passing through Trafoi you will enter a section that will wind up through the woods on multiple switchbacks until the 14 km mark.    SECTION 3: Right after the village of Trafoi you will find one of the hardest sections with small ramps up to 14% and an average of 9%. For the next 9 kms you will have a very little time to rest, you are in the woods most of the time but there are great views that will let you start to experience the grandeur of the climb.  This section will take you up past switchback 27 and Hotel Franznshohe, (a water point if you are in need). This is where you will have the final view of the stairway of switchbacks that take you to the pass. The last set of switchbacks up to the Stelvio Pass.  There are small ramps above 11% but for the most part it is very pedal-able. This is the section that makes the climb so famous, you will feel the fatigue and the effects of higher elevation, but is you can also lift your head and take in the atmosphere.  This is one of the most picturesque locations in the Alps and on a clear day this is a stunning ride. Do not forget to look back at times. At the pass you will find the Cima Coppi sign (named after the famous Italian cyclist), great views, and perhaps the best Italian Hot Dog Grill in the area.

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: Travel Consultant- book time online for a web chat to answer your questions about traveling in Italy. Travel Planning - need help outlining and planning your adventure in Italy. Scheduled Tours - each month we lead a scheduled tour for those looking to join a small group to explore. Travel support:  Bike Touring - routes, bike rental, bag transfers.  Walking/Hiking Tours - routes, bag transfers. Booking assistance and suggested contacts.

For More Travel Planning Assistance