TOUR OF THE MARMOLADA Fedaia Pass, San Pellegrino Pass
The Tour of the Marmolada tackles two of the most challenging Dolomite climbs, often also covered by the Giro d'Italia: the Marmolada and the San Pellegrino Pass. The Tour runs around the perimeter of the Queen of the Dolomites and links the upper Agordino to the Val di Fassa. The Tour is ring-shaped and therefore can start in any of the towns crossed.
There is a small advantage for those starting from Alleghe, because the 4 km of flat that lead to Caprile are ideal for a brief warm-up before tackling the severe slopes of Rocca Pietore. Shortly after the start, we come to one of the most famous natural beauties of the Dolomites: the 'Serrai di Sottoguda' gorge, (currently closed for work to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Vaia) a very narrow, 2 km long canyon carved into the rock by the Pettorina torrent and today furrowed by a daring little road that leads to Malga Ciapela. Here is the starting station of the Marmolada cable car and here begins the fearsome and highly selective final 6 km of the Passo Fedaia climb.
First the famous three-kilometre straight with constant gradients of 14%, then the hairpin bends leading all the way to the shores of Lake Fedaia, which originated from the glacier above. Panoramic falsopiano along the left bank of the lake with a view of the Marmolada glacier and a fast descent to Canazei and through the Val di Fassa to Moena. Here begins the ascent to Passo San Pellegrino, which is also the heart of the Tre Valli San Pellegrino ski area. The climb is long and hard, especially in the first part. Shortly after the top is the starting point of the cable car that leads to Col Margherita, an extraordinary terrace over the Dolomites equipped at several points with panoramic balconies with illustrative panels and optical sights. Watch out for the following vertiginous descent that reaches Falcade, a renowned tourist centre in the Valle del Biois. Its wonderful plain becomes an important Nordic skiing stadium in winter. Just beyond is the town of Pope Luciani: Canale d'Agordo offers a fine historic centre, a destination for cultural and religious itineraries of great value. At Cencenighe the descent ends and we ascend the Cordevole up to Caprile and with a final effort return to Alleghe
ROUTE CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 85.6 km Positive height difference: 2037
Type of roads: Regional and Provincial asphalt roads
Ascents:
Passo Fedaja from Caprile 13.2 km - difference in altitude 1064m - Max gradient 18% average 8.06%.
Sanpellegrino Pass 12 km - difference in altitude 735m - Max gradient 14% average 6.0
Cencenighe Alleghe 9.0 km - Total elevation gain 234m - Max gradient 7% average 3%. Notes: The last six km leading from Malga Ciapela to Passo Fedaja have sustained and continuous gradients.
There are dangerous tunnels at the beginning of the descent. The descent from Passo Sanpellegrino on the Agordino side is particularly steep: pay attention On the ascent from Cencenighe to Alleghe, favourable wind in the afternoon, contrary in the morning Do not underestimate the rather demanding, albeit short, climb from Saviner to Rocca Pietore
