Cycling the Passo Falzarego

The Passo Falzarego derives its name from Falza Rego which is Latin for False King and refers to a king of the Fanes who was apparently turned to stone for betraying his people. Connecting the territory of Agordo and Cortina d’Ampezzo the summit sits at the convergence of three routes, the two that make up the Passo Falzarego and joining from the north the Passo Valparola. Sitting above the summit is Mount Lagazuoi which has been described as a castle of rock after both Italian and Austrian armies dug tunnels and shelters in it during WW1, turning it into an impenetrable fortress.

A key feature of the Maratona dles Dolomites, this ascent of the pass is the last major climb on the medium route for those entrants who took the wise decision to avoid the Passo Giau on the longer route.

- From Andraz-Cernadoi -

The start point of this side of the Falzarego isn’t as obvious as the beginning of many climbs so to complete the full distance the best place to begin is on the SR48 at the junction with the SR563. From here the road soon begins to rise as it passes through Andraz and heads up to Cernadoi on a modest 6% slope. Just before entering the village is the point where the long Maratona route splits from the medium route with the later following the bend round to the left. The remaining journey to the summit hovers around a 7% gradient and is interspersed with a total of 16 hairpins from here to the end. As you encroach on the finale the road dives into two tunnels, the second of which is unlit and lined with exposed rock to add that little extra drama to the end of your ascent.