Cycling Dolomiti Friulane: Passo di Stelvio da Prato

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Passo di Stelvio da Prato

This legendary climb speaks for itself:
- punto di partenza: Prato allo Stelvio, 950mt
- lunghezza: 24.3 km

- pass altitude: 2758 mt
- dislivello: 1808 mt
- pendenza media: 7.4%
- 47 tornanti

I left home at 0330 and arrived about 0800. I spent 10 minutes looking for parking in Prato but it's all either pay-to-park (100 minutes max) or marked for clients only. So I drove out of town and found a free spot along the climb. I warmed up on the easier 5%-7% beginning stretch of the climb. After the first 10 km it starts getting a bit steeper. I remained seated except to stretch, and on the brief steeper parts. The climb is long but not super-difficult, so don't be intimidated. Today was especially nice; though there was full sun, the cool air compensated and I never felt too hot. Traffic wasn't too bad on the early climb but quite busy when I descended- probably best to get started 0600-0700 so the traffic isn't too heavy on the descent.

By the time I descended there were tons of cyclists climbing up: lots of ladies, older folks, even a couple of kids on small race bikes with 24" wheels. Much different than the riders I usually encounter climbing around Friuli.

The most striking aspect was the natural beauty of this climb- whitewater, wildflowers, spruce forests, snow-capped peaks, even a very cool glacier. I definitely want to ride it again and explore the environs more. Upper Sud Tiröl is surely one of the most spectacular areas in Italy.