Cycling Dolomiti Friulane: Monte Arvenis MTB

The famous climb for Zoncolan leaves Ovaro passing a turn off to the right marked Lenzone. After leaving the village of Lenzone Via Monte Arvenis begins climbing very steeply up the forested mountainside. Surprisingly the road is paved, roughly in places but no problem for a road bike. The gradient is the problem, as on Zoncolan. Before long I was in 24-36, like Sisyphous pushing my wheel up the precipice. It levels out around 1500 meters, pavement ends and you pass by Malga Arvenutis. The dirt road comes to a junction where going straight takes you to Malga Arvenis Alta. Instead I went right, climbing up to 1600 meters, a wide grassy altopiano. Soon you arrive at Malga di Claupa and take the rough dirt road climbing to your right, around and over Monte Tribil. The high point at 1716 meters has views stretching to the Tagliamento River and beyond. After Monte Cucasit the road begins descending, ever steeper and rougher down a bouldery uneven rocky road till you finally arrive in the meadows of Aiers. Having survived the wilderness roads, I rewarded myself with a fast descent through the forest on narrow paved lanes to Tarlessa and Trava to Chiassis, where I'd parked the car along the old road from Villa Santina to Ovaro. Great ride, with many variations.