Pietratagliata MTB

Several of the prettiest climbs in Friuli are in the northeast corner where Italy, Austria and Slovenia come together.  One of these is the climb from Pietratagliata along Fiume Fella up to the timber and  pasture land above high above.  I heard about it from http://spazioinwind.libero.it/teledirain, a great site with tons of climbs around here.  At first I tried to start from Dogna, but that was a dead end.  So I hopped back in the car and headed up SS13 to Pietratagliata and crossed the Fella again on a half- suspension bridge.  The road begins ascending immediately and continues without a break up 12 long tornanti, with a of couple hundred meters-long tunnel to boot.  The top is gorgeous fir tree forest, opening into grassland sun.  I had to turn around for time's sake but next time I'll try to make the loop down to Sompdogna to complete the adventure.  

Panorama of peaks along Austrian border

Gravel road continuing east

Beautiful marker at cabin

All but the last km is paved