The torrential rains have paused briefly so I leapt at the chance for a ride. I drove to Tramonti di Sotto and started rustily pedaling the MTB. I turned east on Via Cima Riva and then through localita Comesta (a house with a barn and a mule). Soon the narrow lane descends toward Torrente Tarcenò and pavement ends. I was worried about the guado being overfilled from all the rain, but it was only maybe 10-15 cm deep. The cool water felt good on my feet and calves.
Now the packed gravel road gets steep- lots of ramps with gradient in the high teens, with a median 13.4% slope for 2 km until 580 meters. Then you descend slightly to Stavoli Tamar, ruins of an abandoned settlement. I descended a bit more and then saw a sign for Monte Celant, which I'd only seen previously from the south near Campone. This road was in surprisingly good condition- I expected a washed-out, muddy logging road. The gradient is steep, but alternates with easier stretches so you can catch your breath (3 km averaging 11%).
Around 965 meters the road levels out and then descends some. It abruptly ends, with a blazed trail to the summit (1093 meters). I was in a hurry though and headed back down. The descent was a blast: even the counter-climbs at Tamar and the Torrente Tarcenò felt good. I will come back and try variations to Campone and Stavoli Palcoda, another abandoned village.
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The first guado on a branch of the Tarcenò |
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Double guado crosses Tarcenò twice |
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Abandoned houses at Stavoli Tamar |
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Painting on side of ruins |
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Close-up of the flower painting |
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From near 800 meters: Tramonti di Sotto on left, di Mezzo on right,
and di Sopra in background; Torrente Meduna on left |
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Waterfalls along Torrente Tarcenò |
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