Monte Brutto Passo

Extremely scenic and challenging cycle-mountaineering tour with ascent on asphalt road to Forni di Sotto, ascent on dirt road on the mule track to the end of it and then push on trail to Forca Zauf, then partially riding on ridge to Monte Brutto Passo and descent with some climbs on trail to Passo Pura, last descent on very smooth trail to the parking lot.

Start from the parking lot at the Pura Hotel and go up the SS52 to Cima Corso and after skirting descend to near the tunnel; on the left take the old road to Forni di Sotto closed to traffic (a couple of bypasses) and come out on the state highway just before the town. After crossing the latter, on the right take the road to the cemetery and, following the "Falesie" signs, begin the climb that soon abandons the paved section. The cart-track marked CAI 214 climbs with significant gradients up to the Preson barns, only later becoming more approachable with gradients around 10%.

When you reach an altitude of 1,950, just before the end of the cart-track, take the unmarked but well-trodden trail on the left that goes up the Zauf Pass. With bike on your back or pushing, you descend to m. 2,032 before descending to the pass and beginning the ridge traverse with short climbs in a beautiful alpine setting. You cross Mt. Priva, the Ugly Pass until you reach the Montouf Fork. From here you descend along CAI path 215 (sent. Tiziana Weiss), which is completely cyclable although the technical difficulty increases slightly (S2). Passing under the majestic walls of Mount Tinisia, past the Tintina cheese factory you reach the Pura pass.

Past the Tita Piaz hut, go down the asphalt road, ignoring the first small road on the right that leads to the Pura malga and immediately taking the second cart-track where a marked mule track descending into the woods can be seen on the left. The path is unmarked but is wide and well-marked from the start. It comes out briefly on the road (20m.) and then rejoins the path that descends with comfortable hairpin bends (single track S1/S2) until it reaches the paved road that goes up to Pura. You descend a hundred meters or so until you reach the parking lot.

Asphalt 30% - dirt 70%, Physical condition: challenging; Technical difficulty: challenging