Lake Alleghe provides a spectacular backdrop to the start of the Gran Tour delle Dolomiti. This is a challenging yet deeply rewarding route, not least because of the beauty of the places it passes through and their historical and natural significance. Heading up the Cordevole Valley, you reach Arabba along a stretch of the “Strada delle Dolomiti”, from where, looking south, you can admire the Marmolada and its glacier.
Once over the Passo Campolongo and having reached La Villa, the climb up to the Passo di Valparola begins, with its spectacular lunar landscape which was the scene of fierce battles during the First World War. The front line ran right across the Passo di Valparola, and all around are the troops’ barracks, which are still very well preserved and open to visitors, as well as an old Austrian fort now used as a museum.
The route continues downhill towards Passo Falzarego, where you pass the Lagazuoi cable car on the left, which provides access to the tunnels carved into the rock by Italian troops. A little further down on the right, the Cinque Torri chairlift allows you to explore a series of well-marked trench trails.
The descent from Falzarego is 10 km long. At Pocol, turn right into a beautiful coniferous forest to begin the toughest climb of what is considered the most fascinating of the Dolomite passes: Passo Giau.
The rapid descent following the crest leads to Selva di Cadore and along the Val Fiorentina to Caprile and Alleghe.
