One of the most renowned passes in the Dolomites, featured 5 times in the Giro d’Italia, links Cortina d’Ampezzo to the Falzarego plateau via a long, steady climb.
A long ascent to 2,105 metres
From Cortina d’Ampezzo, the road climbs 15.9 km for 908 m of elevation gain, averaging 5.7%, with a steeper section reaching 8.4%. The profile stays largely consistent throughout, with no real flat stretch but no brutal ramps either.
A pass with sporting and wartime history
Passo Falzarego was used 5 times by the Giro d’Italia between 1976 and 2008. Near the summit stands Lagazuoi, the site of fierce fighting between Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops during the First World War, whose tunnels carved into the rock can still be visited.
Getting the ride right
A compact or triple crankset is more than enough for this steadily-graded pass. A lightweight windbreaker jacket is useful for the descent, as the road tops out above 2,100 m.
When to go
June to September, as the road is generally clear during this window. The pass can remain closed or snow-covered in early spring.
Good to know
From the summit, a short additional rise of under 2 km leads to Passo Valparola, while Arabba, on the Marmolada side, is a good base for tackling other Dolomite giants such as Passo Pordoi or Passo Fedaia.
