Mountain Passes In Italy | Dolomites
PASSO FEDAIA | ITALIAN DOLOMITES
Passo Fedaia sits at 2057 meters a.s.l. and located in the Maromolada Mountain Group. The Passo Fedaia separates the Veneto Region from the Trentino Alto Adige Region, and connects the town of Canazei with the Agordo Valley. At the pass you find Lago di Fedaia, this is the site from the movie "The Italian Job", (where the guy double crossed the others). Reflected in the lake is the Marmolada 'Queen of the Dolomites' and the highest peak.
Passo Fedaia and the Marmolada Mountain Groups was part of the WWI front between Austria and Italy. On the glacier area several tunnels and galleries were built to protect and house the troops during the winter months, and though not of the ice fortifications remain there are still signs of the war to be seen. The Passo Fedaia is a great starting point for several great hikes and classic climbs. There is also skiing on the southern slopes that offers some the best ski runs in the Dolomites. Cyclist tourist challenges themselves each season on the classic bike climbs of the Passo Fedaia.
HOW TO GET TO PASSO FEDAIA IN THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES
Passo Fedaia can be reached from Canazei (Trentino Alto Adige Region) by a regional bus. If you are arriving from the southern side (Veneto Region) you can find a bus from Agordo that will bring you to Malga Ciapela. Passo Fedaia is about a 2:45 minutes from Venice.
By bicycle Passo Fedaia is generally used as a transition ride to move from the Alleghe area over to the Fassa Valley. The best bike ride is from Caprile to Passo Fedaia, this route is one of the hardest climbs in the Dolomites with some sections being over 15% grade. It is always better to ride down the Fassa Valley rather than up the valley, and the ride up from Canazei is not a nice since there tends to be more traffic. Passo Fedaia is great to link Passo Costalungo, Passo San Pellegrino, Passo Pordoi, and Passo Valles.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING PASSO FEDAIA
If you are bike touring your best locations are:
If you are hiking or climbing there are a few refugio's in the pass.