Traversata dal Monte Elmo

Cyclo-mountaineering tour with first ascent by gondola to Monte Elmo gondola station, ascent on dirt road and trail to the summit and continuation on ridge and slope to Passo Silvella, descent on forest trail to a dirt road that, with numerous cuts on trails, leads first to Rifugio Coltrondo and then to the valley floor.

Start at Sesto, Elmo gondola station, and once at altitude, climb in the saddle to the trail that climbs to the summit of Mount Elmo, which is partially rideable if taken from the saddle, or totally shoulder-riding if you choose the previous one, straight up starting at a left turn. All along the ascent and at the top the view is fantastic and at the top it also opens up to the Drava valley. From this point on it is a continuous up and down with sometimes violent ramps on dirt road and trails, between the ridge and the coast facing alternately both valleys. You pass a couple of refuges and reach Sella di Confine, to continue in an always super setting to Sella di Nemes.

Climb the path to the left (partially rideable) to pass under the famous overhanging boulder and continue on the ridge. The ground changes from grassy to compact rocky to very rocky and unstable, with some exposed passages. Last stretch through the pastures to reach Passo Silvella, from which you descend 200m on a dirt road and at the first marked trail on the left you turn, continuing on a bottom dug into the grass and treacherous rock outcrops. This is a continuously up and down track that is half rideable until you reach a ridge from which you descend on a dirt road that you cut as many times as possible on the clearly visible trails. The dirt and rock bottom with some surfacing roots is common to all cuts and can be treacherous at times. Short stop at Rif. Coltrondo and descend again on dirt road taking up some cut trails in the direction of Sesto, with last part on dirt road parallel to the asphalt and then freeride on grass to the second gondola station.

Trails 50% - Dirt 50%; Physical condition: medium challenging; Technical difficulty: challenging; Elevation gain 1000 m m mechanized + 500 m