The Giau Pass is one of the landmarks of the Giro d'Italia.
Its 10 km of breathtaking climbs with constant gradients of over 10% are a magnet and a prestigious goal for all cyclists who choose the Dolomites to cycle on the roads of champions.
Thanks to its fabulous position in the valley, Alleghe conente a smooth start in falsopiano, both for those who choose routes to the north and those heading south.
To climb the Giau Pass one reaches Caprile, where the first climb of the day begins, leading to Colle Santa Lucia; 7km for 400m of altitude difference. Rapid descent to Selva di Cadore where, before the village, the Giau Pass is attacked.
The first two kilometres make it clear what awaits the climber, but it is the continuity of the difficulties that make it so dreaded. Only three short bridges over the Codalonga stream give a moment's respite. After 1000m of altitude gain and 33 hairpin bends, we descend to an altitude of 2239m below the Gusela del Nuvolau and face the steep and technical descent to Pocol.
Here immediately begins the Falzarego Pass, a 10km climb that is very pedalable and after the Giau reconciles with the climb.
Once at the top near the Lagazuoi cableway, the long descent begins (20km) which in an instant takes you back to Caprile, and from here the usual last 4km of flat terrain for the return to base for those who started out from Alleghe.
From Falzarego for the more trained there are many variations to lengthen the Tour, linking it for example to the Giro dei Set Sass, climbing up to Valparola, descending to La Villa and returning via the Campolongo Arabba Digonera.
