Selle Chianzutan

Beautiful day. Rode to Pinzano, up the tornanti at Anduins, up the gorge of Val d'Arzino. The river was full of snowmelt and I could hear the roaring rapids far below. Continued through the forest past Pielungo to San Francesco where the actual climb begins. The road ascends above the river awhile, with spectacular views of chutes and waterfalls. At Pozzis the road veers away and heads up a series of long tornanti through steep fir-covered slopes.

Around 900 meters the road becomes less steep and enters a huge meadow. The selle has a few farm houses surrounded by pastureland, flanked by Monte Verzegnis on the west and Monte Piombada on the east. To the north are wonderful views of the snowy peaks beyond Tolmezzo.

The descent is very fast and curvy on wide smooth pavement. It then joins SS 512 and heads east toward Laga Cavazzo. The lake is beautiful blue-green in the sun. Then southward on Strada di Bottecchia along the Fiume Tagliamento, full of azzure snowmelt.

Wonderful ride, and you can see it during the Giro this year early in the Zoncolan stage. Should be awesome from the helicopter- don't miss it!

View of the Arzino down in the deep narrow gorge

Monte Rest to the west

Waterfall in the Arzino near Pozzis

Monte Verzegnis with dolomite formation

Mountains to the north from Selle Chianzutan

Monte Arvenis

Mountains to the northwest of the selle

Center: group of dolomite spires, (Stonehenge?)

Across Lago Cavazzo to Interneppo

Fiume Tagliamento from Strada di Bottecchia

Map

Ride profile