Dalle Dolomiti al mare (1a tappa)

The plan for this ride is to reach the coast (Chioggia) on a gravel bike from the Fassa Valley. For the first stage, I decide to go for a long ride and head to the Altopiano dei Sette Comuni (Monte Corno). It’s a very long and challenging stage, but you can pace yourself however you like.

From Predazzo, I climb to Passo Rolle, starting on asphalt and then switching to dirt roads (it’s possible to ride the entire route on the beautiful dirt road that runs alongside Lake Paneveggio, but early in the season it’s often closed due to forestry work, so it’s best to check beforehand). From Passo Rolle, head down to San Martino di Castrozza via shortcuts and forest roads. From San Martino, continue toward Lake Calaita, still on gravel (there’s a short section where you’ll need to push your bike on a trail). From the lake, descend on paved road to Canal San Bovo.

From Canal San Bovo, climb to the Broccon Pass on paved road (you could take the dirt road variant to the 5 Croci Pass). From the pass, I descend first to Castel Tesino and then into Valsugana, first on a dirt road (with a fairly rough and unpleasant central section) and then on asphalt. From the valley, I climb back up to the Plateau via the beautiful Barricata ascent (check beforehand if it’s open and passable).

I cross the plateau on a mix of gravel and asphalt and reach Mount Corno, which overlooks the Vicenza plain. Here I camp for the night under a comfortable shelter (alternatively, there is also a campsite nearby).

Second stage