Cason di Lanza - CAI439 (Traversata Carnica) - Sella di Aip - Tropolacher Alm - Casera Cordin

Alpine-cycling route with more than half of the route pushing or portaging, with super scenic ascent on CAI439 trail from Cason di Lanza to Sella di Aip, descent on some Austrian trails and dirt roads to Tropolacher Alm and half ascent on push and portage to Cima di Lanza saddle, up and down trail to Casera Cordin and descent on partially cyclable CAI451 trail.

Start near Malga Valbertat and ascend on asphalt to Cason di Lanza, then climb along the dirt road behind the hut, with a few high gradient paved ramps alternating with breaths on gravel, continue on the main to the CAI439 sign on the left immediately after a series of switchbacks. You harness the two-wheeler and take it for a few hundred meters up damp stepped rocks to an up and down in the grass among the bushes, not very cyclable, then up again on high gradient rock to the Travesata Carnica, a spectacular up and down line on rock and scree in the presence of Creta di Aip and with wonderful views of the valley. Already at the bottom we catch a glimpse of Sella di Aip and the red dot of Bivacco Lomasti.

Long traverse mostly cyclable on uneven terrain with some rock climbs to end on meadow near the ridge dividing Italy from Austria, Passo Pramollo on the left and the highest cable car station a few meters from the trail. At the fork to the right toward the saddle, a few push sections on the ridge and descend to the Sella di Aip, where you take the path to the left that descends with uncertain track to a small plateau facing the Austrian valley and then on grass pointing to the lake below. You leave the body of water on the right, pass Rudnig Alm and in ups and downs and last part uphill on wide, well-trodden dirt road (as everywhere in Austria) you reach Tropolacher Alm, continue toRattendorfer Alm from where the ascent begins, at first as gentle as the previous sections and then steadily steeper, until it is hardly rideable by the small chapel in the pastures, from which you climb to the right to the lowest point of the ridge, through the bushes on narrow path with your bike on your back.

You intercept on the ridge the Traversata Carnica CAI403, up and down rather technical and steep in places, which you follow to Sella Cordin, to the next Malga and just beyond where you take CAI451 to the left. This is an up and down path in the forest to date well maintained, with exposed sections and steep ramps, cyclable in places, for about half the length. You reach the asphalt with effort to end the ride.

Km 29 - Asphalt 10% - Dirt 30% - Trails 60%, Physical condition: challenging; Technical difficulty: challenging; Elevation gain 1150m