Val Jumela

Beautiful as well as challenging cycle tour in Val Jumela, a secondary valley of Val di Fassa. The main difficulty lies in tackling the steep climb to Sella Brunech, which at 2428m represents the highest point reached on this tour.

Departing from Canazei, you descend the Val di Fassa to Pozza using the beautiful bike path that runs along the Avisio stream. Arriving near the village, we leave the bike path to cross the village and head towards Val San Nicolò. Before arriving at Malga Crocifisso, we leave the asphalt to start climbing on a forest road with acceptable gradients. In this section we cross a beautiful forest consisting mainly of spruce trees. At times the forest breaks up and clearings open up from which it is possible to admire the imposing towers of Sasso delle Dodici and Sasso delle Undici. At the end of the forest road, before turning onto the trail, the view opens up to the Fassa Valley, with the spectacular Catinaccio/Rosengarten group as a backdrop. After that you take the aforementioned path to Malga Jumela. Almost all uphill, always rideable except for a few points and always immersed in conifers. Upon reaching the malga, the most challenging climb begins. From this point, in fact, the slopes increase more and more, until they reach the limit of pedalability. The views, however, know how to repay the efforts made. Having reached the saddle, in fact, it is possible to admire the Sella Group with Sasso Pordoi in full view, again the Catinaccio/Rosengarten group and Latemar behind us. Climbing (on foot) a few meters up one of the two slopes that reach the sella, it will also be possible to see the queen of the Dolomites, the Marmolada.

If the ascent had extreme gradients, the descent is no less. Nothing technical, but the dive down to the valley is done in a flash. After the first ramp, you meet the two refuges: Tobià del Giagher and Ciampac. One continues in the direction of Alba. Almost at the end of the descent, however, we take a moderately technical trail back to the center of Canazei.

Track recorded in September 2020.