Linking the Val di Fassa to the Val d’Ega on a steady road through conifer forests, the Passo di Costalunga (Karerpass in German) offers one of the more accessible climbs in the Dolomites, a stone’s throw from the famous Lake Carezza.
The climb
From Vigo di Fassa, at around 1,342 m elevation, the road climbs for 9.3 km to the pass at 1,745 m, gaining 436 m at an average of 4.7%. The route alternates wooded sections with open views of the Catinaccio (Rosengarten) and Latemar rock faces, with a steeper stretch around 11% just before the summit.
How to approach the ride
The moderate gradient lets you keep a steady pace without the long sustained sections above 10% typical of nearby giants like the Passo Pordoi or Passo Sella. It’s a good option for combining effort with time to take in the scenery.
When to go
May to October, with the road generally clear once the snow melts in spring. Summer offers the best conditions, with particularly photogenic light over Lake Carezza late in the day.
Good to know
Vigo di Fassa, a lively village in the Val di Fassa, has all the services you’d need before setting off. At the top, Lake Carezza and its turquoise waters, reachable on foot in a few minutes, are worth a stop before heading down toward Nova Levante on the Val d’Ega side.