Mountain Passes In Italy | Dolomites

PASSO FALZAREGO | ITALIAN DOLOMITES Passo Falzarego, sits at 2.105 meters a.s.l. in the Belluno Province, of the Veneto Region. Passo Falarego connects Andráz and Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Passo Valparole in the Trentino Alto Adige Region.  Site of WWI battles and flanked by the Tofane Mountain group. The Pass is a classic if you are making the loop ride over Passo Giau from Alleghe or Cortina d'Ampezzo. There are two sides to ride, but I recommend the descent from Passo Falzarego to Capria, this is one of the best downhills rides in the Italian Dolomites. The name Falza Rego means false king in ladin and refers to a king of the Fanes, who was supposedly turned to stone for betraying his people. In the pass there is a gondola that takes you up to the Lagazuoi Pizo (2752 meters), where heavy combat occurred during World War I. During the War, the Austrians moved the quickest and secured many of the main peaks in the Italian Dolomites leaving the Italians trying to take the peaks from them.cOne of the unique techniques the Italians utilized in the war was to drill tunnels under the Austrian positions and then pack the tunnel with explosives, in an attempt to cave in the summits.  The old tunnel utilized in the Lagazuoi Pizo attack is still open, and you can climb up or down the tunnel (recommend route is down) utilizing the cabled route (vie Ferrate).   HOW TO GET TO PASSO FALZAREGO IN THE ITALIAN DOLOMITES The pass can be reached by the Dolomite Bus system from Cortina d'Ampezzo, Arabba and Corvara.  This section of road is part of the Dolomite Highway, and there are times it can be quite busy.  If you bike touring the Italian Dolomites you can reach to the, starting from Cortina or Pocol if you are riding over Passo Giau. From Cortina the ascent is 16.4 km long and from Pocol it is 10.4 km. The elevation gain on the climb is 913 meters with an average grade of 5.6 %. And starting from Caprile, the Passo Falzarego ascent is 20.46 km long. Over this distance, you climb 1119 meters with an average grade of 5.5 %.
 WHERE TO STAY AND EAT WHEN VISITING PASSO FALZAREGO OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TRAVEL TIPS FOR PASSO FALZAREGO Bike Tour Passo Falzarego in the Italian Dolomites

The Mountains Of Italy | Dolomites

GUIDE TO THE TOFANE DOLOMITES Sitting in the Belluno Province, the Tofane are surrounded by three main valleys: the Val di Fanes to the N, the ‘Conca ampezzana’ to the E and the Val Travenanzes to the W, while the southernmost limit is represented by the Passo Falzarego (2,109 m), which puts in communication Cortina with Livinallongo through the ‘Great Dolomite Road’. The Tofane are a mountain group that belongs to the Eastern Dolomites and part of the Dolomiti di Ampezzo (Ampezzo Dolomites'), immediately to the west of Cortina d'Ampezzo and to the Northwest of San Vito di Cadore. Their highest elevation reaches the respectable altitude of 3,244 m. This mountain group is extended on the western side of the Ampezzo basin (‘Conca ampezzana’), between Passo Falzarego (2,109 m) and the Val di Fanes in a North to South direction, and counts among its main ridge several peaks above 3,000 m. The most important of these are the three summits of Tofana di Rozes (or Roces), 3,225 m, the southernmost; Tofana di Mezzo (or Seconda), 3,244 m – the central and highest – and Tofana di Dentro (a.k.a. de Inze or Terza), 3,238 m, the northernmost, linked to the former by a thin crest. The ‘Second’ and ‘Third’ Tofane used to once host small glaciers, part of the Piave basin – now long gone because of the general warming up of Alpine climate and the average minor entity of prolonged snow on the ground during the winter months. MAIN PEAKS OF THE TOFANE GROUP Tofana di Mezzo (3244 m) Tofana di Dentro (3238 m) Tofana di Rozes (3225 m) Sella delle Tofane (3068 m) Cima Fanis di Mezzo (2989 m) MOUNTAIN HUTS IN THE TOFANE GROUP Rifugio Angelo Dibona Rifugio Giussani Rifugio Duca d'Aosta Rifugio Pomedes Rifugio Col Druscè TOWNS OF THE TOFANE GROUP Cortina Ampezzio

Mountain Passes In Italy | Dolomites

PASSO VALPAROLA | ITALIAN DOLOMITES Passo Valparola sits at 2192 meters a.s.l., in the Belluno Province.  The Pass is just before the border between the Veneto Region and Trentino Alto Adige Region, and during the First War World part of the Italian and Austrian Battle Front.  Passo Valparola separates the Tofane Mountian Group and the Pralonga Peak (2138 meters) it is just 2 km west of Passo Falzarego and has been a traditional route between Alta Badia and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Up until the end of the First World War Passo Valparola was part of Austria's Tyrol area, while the Italian border was at Passo Falzarego.  The Austrians built the Fort Tra i Sassi (Among the rocks) which was mostly destroyed by Italian artillery.  Several small battles occurred along this front, and after the War the area become part of Italy.  There are varied explanations on how the Pass received its name, but is considered to be named after the Iron Works that were in the area in the 1600's.  Today the pass is not nearly as popular as Passo Falzarego, but it is worth a visit to see the old forts, and the is the small Lago di Valparola that makes a great photo.  The pass has a great views and open year round. HOW TO GET TO PASSO VALPAROLA IN THE DOLOMITES OF ITALY You can get a regional bus from Cortina d'Ampezzo or Corvara to reach the pass. If you are biking the area, Passo Valparola is just up the road from Passo Falzarego, which can be reached from Cortina d'Amezzo, Passo Giau, or riding up from Capria or Arabba.  Riding over Passo Valparola will take you down in to Alta Badia but even if you are planning on riding else where it is worth the 2 km climb up from Passo Falzarego to see the pass. WHERE TO STAY WHEN VISITING PASSO di VALPAROLA If you cycling the area you can reach the pass from: Cortina d'Ampezzo - via Passo Falzarego Corvara Arabba Alleghe   If you are hiking or climbing it is best to stay at the refugio in Passo Valparola or Passo Falzarego OUTDOOR REPORTS AND TRAVEL TIPS FOR PASSO VALPAROLA