Around the Civetta - Via the Passo Duran and Passo Staulanza

This challenging tour with 7825 ft in altitude over a length of almost 47 miles, begins in the small village of Caprile, in the mountain valley Valle Séssera, situated in the Italian province of Belluno, at 3399 ft above sea level.

With the mighty rock massif of the Civetta always in view, we firstly ride on an almost level stretch of road approximately 3 miles southwards to Alleghe (3268 ft) at the beautifully situated, namesake, swimming lake, which was created by a landslide at the nearby Monte Forca at the 11th of January 1771.

After another couple of miles on the now slightly downward-sloping road, we turn onto the narrow country lane, SP8, and cycle on this 1,9 mile long steepening stretch through a wild, romantic, little gorge up to the small and scenic mountain village of San Tomaso Agordino (3596 ft).

The following descent to Cencenighe Agordino (2552 ft) and further to Agordo (2005 ft) (a greater municipality in the Italian province of Belluno) is also scenic. Agordo belongs to the small Ladin-speaking area.

The 7,5 mile long sweat-inducing ascent to the Passo Duran at 5252 ft above sea level starts here. Here, 325 feet in altitude, with inclines between 10 % - 15 %, have to be climbed. For quite a long time we keep in view the magnificent rock massif of the up to 8409 ft high Bellunese Dolomites in the Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi.

The next descent down to the small dolomitic village of Dont di Zoldo (3104 ft) allows us to regain strength for the following ascent to Passo Staulanza at 5817 ft above sea level.

A quiet road, through beautiful scenery, curves up to the pass, though in parts it has ascents of more than 15 %. Beautiful views of the Civetta-Group and Monte Pelmo (10394 ft) are the reward for this exhausting climb.

On the following ride via the villages of Santa Fosca and Selva di Cadore down to our starting point, Caprile, we can fully appreciate this magnificent mountain landscape once more.


Distance: approx. 76 km

Length: 162 Minutes

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