Largo tour a forcella Clautana

I'll preface with a due citation to fellow biker Ottomilainsu for giving me the cue via this itinerary of his: as soon as I read the description he gave of the ascent and descent of Forcella Clautana, I created a loop itinerary that, as per my practice, would get there in a way that was anything but "trivial": 126km and 3400meters of elevation gain.

Starting in fact from very far away, in Dardago (altitude 200 meters), at the foot of Piancavallo, we take the valley northward to deviate on a moderately technical path up the Rujal stream (narrow with stones and roots in the second part). Coming out near the restaurant Lo Chalet (370 meters) begins the long but pleasant ascent on the forestal Venezia delle Nevi, renovated now years ago and now being eroded especially in the highest part (fountain at an altitude of 950 meters).

The ascent ends in the locality of Sauc at 1200 meters, and then climbs finally in view of the tourist town of Piancavallo (1260 meters). It runs for a short stretch on asphalt and then takes a detour to the left onto a secondary road that gradually becomes a path, then changes continuously from very smooth stretches to more driven and bumpy ones; it is certainly not very beaten but always practicable and allows you to completely avoid the asphalt road that runs parallel to it. The descent ends at an elevation of 440 meters at the reservoir of Lake Barcis, which you cross along the beautiful bicycle/pedestrian footbridge.

Now begins a paved transfer of about 12km, going up the Cellina river (alternatives not available), to the village of Claut at an altitude of 600 meters: beware that throughout this stretch there will be no shortage of motorcyclists in the guise of novice Rossi/Marquez riders. From Claut the second climb of the day to Casera Casavento begins; initially an easy asphalt climb, it continues more decisively on a narrow series of hairpin bends and finally opens onto a wide stream bed. A little further on you arrive at Casera Casavento (elevation 950 meters) where refreshments are available (a fountain is also present). From here, staying on the bike, it is possible to reach a few hundred meters to the boulder where fossilized dinosaur footprints dated 220 million years are imprinted: worth a detour.

From the Casera now begins the most challenging part of the climb: the Strada degli Alpini (sent. N° 966) is an averagely exposed mountain path with many rather narrow hairpin bends, a good bottom and a constant 12% gradient that in about 4km and 500 meters leads to Forcella Clautana (altitude 1430 meters). Remarkable views as you tackle the climb, in such an isolated and remote landscape. The next long descent of 8km and 900 meters negative takes place on forest/sentiero very varied as features but with exposed sections to be reckoned with. Reaching the basin of Lake Selva, some ups and downs lead to the Ca' Selva Dam, where the asphalt is seen again. You reach the village of Chievolis (fountain next to the church), then the dam of Ponte Racli to divert then to Navarons (330 meters).

The last asphalt climb crosses the towns of Frisanco and Poffabro, proceeds winding but never challenging to end at Forcella Pala Barzana (840 meters). At the top turn left onto the forestry road, a few dozen meters uphill and then plunge headlong onto the fabulous, narrow but smooth Sentiero Panoramico, all halfway up the hillside (nice mid-slope view of Ravedis dam and grave of the Cellina), ending in the village of Maniagolibero at 340 meters. The return to Dardago is along the fast FVG 3 bicycle path, with short dirt detours when nearing the finish.