Cima Carega from Veneto

Spectacular AM cycle excursion in the Carega area on the Veneto side.

Although being (the summit) in Trentino territory, I put this itinerary in the Veneto section,given the starting point and half of the total development.

Having parked the car in the large square in the center of the village (750slm), we embark on an asphalt road uphill towards ref Revolto.Near the Revolto refuge the asphalt gives way to a wide dirt road (bar), with slopes that never exceed 10%.We first reach the Pertica pass (1570slm) and then ref.Scalorbi (1767). From the Pertica pass onward you notice the complete absence of tall trees, which gives an additional feeling ofi high altitude.

Avoid the ascent to the left directed to Carega (less cyclable), but take us to the north of the refuge, where a table indicating Bocchetta Mosca no.109, directs us on a narrow path that goes up the ridge to the right of the direct ascent, and then after 200mt veers decisively to the right, now immersed in a very suggestive environment we go up (watch out for some exposed sections) all the ridge to the right until Bocchetta Mosca (2029slm) we turn left and start zigzagging in the scree (short sections on foot, and avoid shortcuts). Now veering left we reach a fork and the Fraccaroli refuge (2238) highest destination of the itinerary (it is advisable to climb to the summit (2260slm) next,3 min on foot).

Back at the Mosca vent, we take the path (#192) to the right that descends more directly to the Scalorbi refuge (1767slm). The second part of the equally spectacular itinerary begins. Leaving the refuge and a small church on the right, we pedal uphill on a beautiful mule track towards Mount Plische 1900slm (tab n°202), now on the side of the Revolto valley, where below you can see very well the dirt road made previously uphill, first flat and then steeply downhill (pay attention to the exposed sections) we reach the Lora pass (1720slm) with very short walking sections.

Now uphill to the Zevola pass (1890slm). Reached the pass begins a short flat stretch until a junction (beginning of variant), we turn right (No. 282) slightly uphill and go around Mount Terrazzo on its left (beautiful stretch but to be done with attention to the exposed sections). Now begins the descent that in 3 km and 800 mt of elevation gain takes us to the bottom of the valley, the first section (250mt of disliv)is very steep and bumpy, very difficult to stay in the saddle, then reached the meadow and the malga Terrazzo we turn right downhill (n°277), after a first very smooth section begins a series of 53 hairpin bends that always in the saddle take us to intersect the asphalt road near a hairpin bend. Now downhill to the starting point.

Variant: at the crossroads, we notice below a landmark malga, we go left now a nice smooth descent that takes us quickly to the Ristele pass (1720slm), after another short descent to the Scaggina pass, keeping to the right we reach on a track in the meadow the obvious malga Fraselle below us. Here begins a nice dirt road that takes us with 900 m of elevation gain to the starting point.

Cyclability: except for very short stretches before ref Fraccaroli, a short stretch going down to the Lora pass and 15min (even less for the daredevils) going down from Monte Terrazzo.

Starting point Giazza, last village in the Illasi valley between Verona and Vicenza

Final considerations: given the presence of many pedestrians it is advisable to start rather early to enjoy without interruptions the entire ascent on trail,we recommend attention to some short stretch a little bit exposed.

To avoid 300 meters of elevation gain on asphalt I recommend starting either where the downhill trail ends or 700 meters further on,convenient little parking on the left after the small bridge.

Original trail taken from here.