BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE
A loop (which can also be covered in the opposite direction) partly on a cycle path (former Rome-Vienna railway line) and partly on low-traffic roads.
Technical info
A loop (which can also be covered in the opposite direction) partly on a cycle path (former Rome-Vienna railway line) and partly on low-traffic roads.
Departure from the car park of the Monte Lussari cable car (arrival of a Giro d’Italia stage). We take the cycle path, which we follow as far as Chiusaforte, always slightly downhill. The former railway line features a series of tunnels (usually well lit, but it is advisable to equip yourself with front and rear lights) and above all viaducts with splendid panoramic views (e.g. Montasio from Dogna).
Along this stretch of cycle path some of the former stations have been turned into bars for cyclists.
From Chiusaforte we enter the Raccolana valley with a long climb which, in about 18 km, leads to Sella Nevea.
The climb winds its way up to the Fontanon de Goriuda, where it steepens for about 1,200 m at 10/12% and then stabilises at around 7.5% all the way to the summit. The first tunnel we come to after the steep section is not lit, therefore we recommend equipping yourself with front and rear lights and taking the utmost care when riding through it.
The rest of the climb presents all the hairpin bends to the right in tunnels (very short). Once past the village of Sella Nevea, we descend towards Lake Raibl (or Predil) with its characteristic little island. The stretch beside the lake is flat and the descent resumes towards Cave del Predil. At the entrance to the village, it is possible to admire the Cinque Punte (the symbol of Cave) and the open-air excavation of what was once the mine.
We then cross the town observing the unusual mountain buildings that recall how Cave del Predil (Raibl until 1918) was established and developed as a company town. Continue towards Tarvisio following the stream and turn right at Plezzut to climb the “wall” of the mine basin.
At the summit, we pass by the old reservoir that supplied electricity to the mine and the town (Raibl was one of the first mountain villages to be provided with electricity and public lighting, at the end of the 19th century). Descent to Rutte Piccolo and return to Tarvisio. From the cemetery, we tackle the short climb leading to the Golf course and then descend back to town and return via a short climb (the Sella di Camporosso, which marks the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea) to the start.
NOTES:
The cycle path in the section immediately adjacent to Tarvisio may be occupied by pedestrians on foot, please be careful.
POSSIBLE DETOURS/ALTERNATIVE ROUTES:
In Plezzut it is possible to cut straight to Tarvisio Basso avoiding the last two climbs, in which case pay attention to the traffic, which can be intense and annoying for bikes, especially in the narrowest part.
If you wish to include a more challenging section, in Sella Nevea you can climb up to the Malghe del Montasio (3.5 km, average 10% max 20% and beyond) on what was the finale of a stage of the 2013 Giro d’Italia.
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