At 2,239 m, the Passo Pordoi is one of the most photographed passes in the Dolomites: a monument to Fausto Coppi stands at the summit, a reminder that this pass has been crossed by the Giro d’Italia more often than any other. Vertical limestone walls and balcony pastures make it a must-do stop for anyone climbing in the Sella massif.
The profile from Canazei
From Canazei, it’s 12.1 km for 786 m of climbing, averaging 6.5%. The pass stands out for its consistency: after starting around 5.8%, the gradient rises gradually to 7.6% by the third kilometre, then hovers around 6% for most of the climb, with a few spikes to 10% among the eleven hairpins that punctuate the second half. There’s no real flat section, but no sudden wall either — a long, sustained effort rather than a series of gut-punches.
How to approach the ride
The Pordoi’s consistency lets you settle into a rhythm from the first few kilometres and hold it all the way to the top, unlike more irregular climbs such as the Giau or the Mortirolo. A compact chainset with an 11-30 cassette is plenty for most riders. The numbered hairpins in the second half of the climb give useful markers for pacing the effort over the distance.
The pass is also a strategic crossroads: it lets you link straight into the Sella Ronda loop (Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Campolongo, roughly 55 km of combined climbing) or continue to Arabba to extend the ride towards the Passo Falzarego.
When to climb it
The road is generally rideable from late May to September, with the safest window in July-August despite heavier tourist traffic (the pass is also accessible by car and motorbike). Afternoon thunderstorms, common in the Dolomites in summer, make an early start worthwhile.
Good to know
Canazei, a lively resort town in both summer and winter, has well-equipped bike rental shops and a wide choice of accommodation. The busy summit has several refuges to grab a bite before the descent — a good excuse to pause and take in the view over the Sella group.
