Cycling Dolomiti Friulane: Torrente Mesaz MTB

Lago del Vajont is a popular tourist area, with the towns of Erto and Casso in the aftermath of a horrific dam disaster 50 years ago. Usually I follow the main highway on the north shore of the lake, but today I revisited the isolated south shore road. They've paved the last remaining dirt sections, but otherwise it is as remote and beautiful as ever.

After Passo Sant'Osvaldo I descended to the turn off for the south shore, sharply to your left. It descends, crosses Torrente Tuara and then follows the shore line along forested slopes. There are a few tiny settlements where people grow hay and raise farm animals.

Eventually you cross Torrente Mesaz and head uphill along the lake. I missed my turnoff for the trail at first and continued around Lago del Vajont within 2 km of the junction with the main highway. Realizing my error I turned around and found trail CAI 905: a large flat-stone paved lane heading steeply upward. The stonework soon ended and it became a steep gravel road. Great workout. After a few km it ends where the foot trail descends to Rifugio Citta'. Good views from here of Mesaz gorge, Erto and surrounding peaks. Highly recommended.