The Giro della Marmolada tackles two of the most challenging climbs in the Dolomites, often featured in the Giro d'Italia: the Fedaia Pass and the San Pellegrino Pass. The tour circles the perimeter of the Queen of the Dolomites, linking the upper Agordino region with the Val di Fassa.
After setting off from Rocca Pietore, you immediately encounter the stunning Serrai di Sottoguda gorge, a narrow natural canyon carved into the rock by the Pettorina stream and stretching for around 2 km, which is now crossed by a daring little road leading to Malga Ciapela. Here lies the departure station of the Marmolada cable car, and here begin the formidable and highly demanding 6 km climb up to Passo Fedaia.
First comes the famous 3 km straight stretch with a constant gradient of 14%, followed by the hairpin bends leading down to the shores of Lake Fedaia. This is followed by a fast descent to Canazei before heading through the Val di Fassa to Moena, where the climb to Passo San Pellegrino begins. This is the centre of the Tre Valli ski area and the starting point of the cable car leading to Col Margherita, an extraordinary panoramic viewpoint at an altitude of 2,550 metres.
A dizzying descent takes you to Falcade, a renowned tourist centre in the Biois Valley, home to numerous bike-friendly hotels.
In winter, its beautiful plain becomes a major venue for Nordic skiing. A little further on lies Canale d’Agordo, the village of Pope Luciani, before reaching Cencenighe where the descent ends and the route climbs the Cordevole towards Alleghe and Rocca Pietore.
