Monte Cor

Vittorio Veneto and Lago Santa Croce lie in a glacial gorge between mountains stretching from Monte Pizzoc to Monte Cavallo in the east, and from Monte Faverghera to Monte Cesen in the west.  Towering above this gorge is Col Visentin (1763m).  There’s a road to the top but it’s only paved as far as Pian dei Grassi at 1200 meters.  Today, instead, I continued on a narrow paved road from Pian dei Grassi to Monte Cor, 1320 meters.

It had rained last night, and temperatures are now more seasonable for April.  I cruised down to Fiaschetti, but from there to Vittorio Veneto I battled a stiff headwind.  Above Vittorio Veneto I turned left toward Valdobbiadene, and after climbing to Longhere (200m), turned right at the sign pointing to Fais.  The climb begins immediately with a +10% ramp.  After a brief respite, it gets tougher with a climb between a group of houses, which the Garmin clocked at 17%.  After this, things settle down briefly, but then you begin a series of 10-12% switchbacks up to around 600 meters.  Not bad at all.

At Borgo Olivi you enter some beautiful hillside meadows, complete with clanking cow bells.  After this village you actually descend slightly passing through Menegon, and then the narrow mountain lane you’ve been riding suddenly transforms into a wide well-paved road.  This is a wonderful road, climbing to 1200 meters at Pian dei Grassi.  It makes long steadily-climbing traverses across the grassy bald face of the mountain, rarely below 10-14%.  The views of Monte Pizzoc, the pianura, the hills of San Lorenzo and Vittoro Veneto are breathtaking.

The road takes a slight downgrade above 900 meters, then regains the elevation and then some.  Finally at 1200 meters the wide paved road ends, the dirt road to Col Visentin heads north, and a narrow paved road labelled Monte Cor heads up slope to the west.  The landscape is mostly tufts of dry grass, an occasional tree, stone outcroppings.  There are a few stone farm buildings and casere here and there.  The pavement ends at 1320 meters, but the dirt road continues as far as I could see.

I bundled up and hurried down the mountain to avoid freezing.   I blazed through Vittorio Veneto and Anzano trying to warm up.  Luckily the wind from the morning hadn't switched direction, and now was a tailwind.  It pushed me all the way home and I arrived not even fatigued.  This is a great climb and I'll try it again soon. 

The meadows at Borgo Olivi

Landscape above Menegon; Col Visentin upper right

Across the gorge to Monte Pizzoc and snowy peaks to the north 

Pian delle Femene to the west from Monte Cor road

The view north from end of pavement, 1320 meters

Map of the climb

Gradient from Longhere to Monte Cor

1147 meter climb in 13km = 8.9% average grade

Val Prescudin

A few kilometers from our home the Cellina River flows through a gorge from Claut to Montereale, surrounded by mountains.  About halfway up the gorge, Val Prescudin joins the Cellina from the west.  It's a beautiful wilderness area, without cars, chainsaws, tractors etc.  Only the sound of falling water and singing birds.

I've passed by the turnoff near Arcola dozens of times, but there was a barrier so I never tried it.  But on a local program called Sentieri Natura a few months back they showed Corpo Forestale  hiking up the road, then continuing on up to Monte Medol.  So I thought I'd give it a try.

After passing through the gate, I crossed the Cellina bridge and started riding up the road along Torrente Prescudin.  At this level there were mainly pine trees.  The road snaked up the gorge with spectacular views of surrounding mountains and white water below.  The forest transitioned to lovely stands of beech trees with sunlit leaves, then yew, and finally fir trees.  At the end of pavement are some meadows and Villa Emma, a large house now used as a nature observatory by Corpo Forestale. 

I descended quite slowly as the pavement is rough and steep, plus a number of hikers were enjoying the wilderness walk.  Back on the main road I returned past Barcis (full of weekenders enjoying the fine weather), through the tunnels and home.  I'll try hiking this climb with my dogs in the near future- they'll love it. * See below 

Crep Nudo, 2200 meters, above Torrente Cellina

Monte Messer, 2230 meters, above Val Prescudin

Villa Emma at 650 meters, with Monte I Muri (2046m)

Crep Nudo from Villa Emma

Torrente Prescudin cascade from the cliffside above

Map of the climb

* Update 12 April
I took the girls for a walk up Val Prescudin this morning.  They loved it, and even found a new path through the forest from Villa Emma down to the big bend in the road.  Fun!

The path from Villa Emma down to the big bend in the road

The bend, with backlit leaves of beech trees

Monte Frascone

This morning was overcast and a little chilly, so I over-dressed.   After cruising down Via Pedemontana through Caneva and Anzano to Vittorio Veneto, I stopped north of town to strip off the windjacket and tights- too hot.  Then I turned on the road for Valdobbiadene, and climbed to Longhere.  From here, a few km to Revine Lago.  I couldn't find the turnoff for Monte Frascone, and rode up several streets (one with 20% grade) in the little town looking for the road.  Eventually I headed west out of town, and finally found the turnoff.

The beginning (starting at 233m) isn't bad, riding up through the town, and then more steeply up past a pretty church above town, Santo Francesco di Paola (400m) around 2 km.   The next 2 km average 10%, with brief chances to breathe at the ends of some tornanti.  Then it gets worse- in the following 2 km you gain 236m elevation, averaging 12% with long stretches of 13%.  I had remained seated till here- now I had to stand most of the time.  Eventually the grade finally eases for a few hundred meters, then it's right back to almost 10% average for another couple kilometers.  At the end it mellows out for couple hundred meters until pavement ends at Pian delle Femene.

I'd reached the top last fall, but there was a biting fly invasion, so I turned around immediately.  This time I got to enjoy the lovely meadows and rustic farmhouses.  Very peaceful place.

The descent is fast (wide road with good pavement)- quite fun.  At Revine Lago I turned left and continued descending to SS52, the main road north from Vittorio Veneto.  I then continued for 40 km, through Vittorio Veneto and Anzano  to home.   Must have had a tailwind- seemed easy.  Didn't bonk and no serious leg fatigue this time.

Great climb- recommended!

Pretty meadows at Pian delle Femene

A farmhouse on the grassy slopes 

The southeast slopes of Monte Frascone; in background Monte Pizzoc

Revine Lago with some of the lower switchbacks in foreground

A stone house along the climb to Pian delle Femene

Gradient average 9.7% for 9 km

Passo di Monte Rest - Sella Chiampon

A favorite ride on a beautiful day.  I cruised to Meduno, over the rollers to Lago Tramonti, and headed up the 10% hill to Tramonti di Sotto.  More rolling hills, then after Tramonti di Sopra the climb proper begins.  Dozens of tornanti, not too steep, with the sounds of white water and bird song to accompany you.  At the top (1060m) it was quite cool, so I put on my wind jacket and headed down the twisty descent.  Rode slowly because of the many rocks, branches, and a few remaining patches of snow.  The only other person I saw on the entire climb/descent, a truck driver in an empty logging truck, asked if there was room to turn around at the passo.  I guess he had to pick up a load and wanted to get pointed in the right direction before loading. 

Finally warmed up when I reached the bottom, about 500m, in sunny Val di Tagliamento.  They've recently paved the road, so nice and smooth.  Now you start another little climb, up Forcella di Priuso to 654m.  Then down to the junction with the main road SS52 below Ampezzo.  Here I turned right, over the rollers to Socchieve, and took another right toward Preone.  

Now you start another climb to Torrente Saezza gorge at 560m.  You descend to the ponte across the river at 530m, then the steep bit begins.  In the next 1.5 km you gain about 200m elevation, up the side of the gorge above the roaring Saezza, averaging 11.6%, with stretches of 18-19%.  This definitely had me panting like a freight train, but I made it to the top.  Now the grade lessens until Sella Chiampon at 789m.   It's a beautiful green valley surrounded by mountains.  At the end the valley narrows, and the road hugs the cliffs above Fiume Arzino.  It's rough but well worth it for the views down the gorge.

At 720m you join SP1 coming down from Sella Chianzutan.  Fast curvy descent along Fiume Arzino gorge to San Franceso.  Now the road becomes flatter, with spectacular views above, below, back and front.  It was quite windy in the gorge but at least it's slightly downgrade most of the way.  At Anduins you descend some nice tornanti, then start a series of rolling hills through Casiacco, Flagogna, Pinzano and Valeriano.  After Lestans the road is more or less flat, but with a headwind.  This next hour I didn't feel like I bonked, but my hamstrings and glutes were very sore.  Several times I coasted while trying to stretch them, which felt better temporarily.  Finally made it home and a hot soak seemed to help.  Hopefully they'll have recovered by Friday for the next climb.

Note: camera battery died after Monte Rest, but I have some pictures of Sella Chiampon from last April here.

Cascade at 650 meters

Monte Tinisa 2080m

Monte Corno 1240m

Monte Corno above Val di Tagliamento 

Mountains to northeast, Val di Tagliamento  

Gradient of Monte Rest, Forcella di Priuso, Sella Chiampon

Clockwise Passo Monte Rest, Sella Chiampon

Close up of Passo Monte Rest climb (bottom) and descent (top)

Close up Sella Chiampon (from top to bottom)

Avasinis - Monte Prat

Warmest day of the year so far.  After a long flat warm up through Arba, Sequals, Lestans I started the rolling section through Valeriano, Pinzano, Flagona.  Then the lovely ride along Fiume Tagliamento, past the grifone refuge at Lago Cornino, and up the Strada Bottecchia where Italy's first great cycling champion trained.

The next stage starts briefly after the left turn for Avasinis (190m).  There's a sharp left onto a road labelled Val Leale.  Immediately you hit a 400m wall of 14%.  This eases briefly and you can enjoy the lovely scenery.  But not for long- now comes a 750m ramp averaging 14%, with some bits at 18%.  The shady upslope side of the road is covered in wildflowers demanding to have their pictures taken.  The trouble was restarting on the narrow 14% lane with a wall of rock on one side and a gorge on the other.  I finally was compelled to ride back downhill to a little crucifix along the road (memorializing previous cyclists who perished trying to climb this?) and turned around.

After this ramp, a series of tornanti varying pitch from 9-14%.  I tried to get a picture though the trees of beautiful blue Lago di Cavazzo, but the branches were always in the way.  At 750 meters the road enters a meadow with a few farm houses and beautiful 360 degree panorama.  I tried to capture the northern 180 degrees of this- my apologies for the haze.

The road then re-enters the forest and tilts upward again, peaking in a 250m ramp of 18%.  I resorted to standing, gasping, sputtering to surmount this.  Don't bother trying to swallow- just let the saliva spew when you exhale.  Plus you can wear your spit beard as a badge of courage as you greet riders arriving up the easy side from Monte Prat.  There were actually 4 of them coming from that direction, one mountain biker (with helmet camera to capture the descent I'd just died climbing), and 3 road bikers (a young guy, a young lady, and an older guy).

The peak is 912 meters, with a nice view of the back of Monte Cuar's east peak and Monte Covria on the other side of the pass.  You then descend through Cuel di Forchia pass to Val Tochel.  Now you join a twisty narrow road through forest to the meadowy altopiano of Monte Prat.   After the meadows a wide, well-paved road snakes down to Santo Rocco, then a bit rougher down through Forgaria, and finally more curvy, smooth pavement down to Val Arzino.

Here I started the 40km ride home into headwind: first 6 rollers to Valeriano, then a long mostly flat denouement.  Surprisingly I didn't bonk here (thanks to several liters of tea with honey and lite salt- heavy to carry, but worth the price).  This fascinating climb was featured in the 2006 Giro d'Italia- a great mix of physical challenges and beautiful scenery.   Highly recommended.  

Despite the 14% grade, had to stop for this bouquet of primule

Not sure which variety of wildflower this is,
but it caught my eye

More primule, with violete

Panorama northwest from meadows at 750 meters

Panorama northeast 

East peak of Monte Cuar from the 912-meter pass,
  highpoint of the climb

Climb starts upper right, ends lower left

On left, descent from altopiano di Monet Prat, 

to San Rocco, Forgaria and Val Arzino

Gradient showing the 14% to 18% pitches

Orton - Monte Valinis

Warm sunny day.  Got a late start because I was doing some early landscaping.   Rolled down through Arba and Sequals to Travesio and started the climb for Clauzetto.  Soon the road was closed for work, with the deviazione heading up through Celante.  It's a narrow, steep mountain road through wildflower-covered woods.  Traffic was very light, as everyone opted for the main road through Anduins instead.

Below Domanins I rejoined the road to Clauzetto.  Climbed the switchbacks up the escarpment to 590 meters at Clauzetto, then continued up the mountain road to Orton (723 m).  From here I descended quickly to Gerchia at 530 meters.  The climb from there to Piani di Clauzetto isn't too steep, with lots of weird eroded karst formations, and cute baby goats to watch. At 675 meters, you reach the top, then descend through a pretty valley down to Campone.

Continuing from Campone down Val Chiarzo, you quickly reach the left turn-off at 408 meters.  This is a famously bad/steep road, with sections of 16% grade and a rough roadway with lots of loose rocks and branches.  It's quite a challenge to maintain traction and avoid falling.  The surrounding forest is beautiful if you can steal a glance- beech trees and karst formations.  This finally ends at Forchia Piccola (663 m) where you join the road coming up from Meduno.  Turning left, you immediately head up a steady 10% for several km, through fir and beech trees.  This road is a little better than the first one, and even has a long repaved stretch, where you can fly on the descent.

Pavement ends at 940 meters.  I kept going on the very rough rock road (lots of large stones to thread through and over).  I reached the grassy meadow at end of road, where several cars with hang-gliders and parapendio were parked.  I didn't go to the edge of the cliff to look down, but was quite startled when a parapendio suddenly appeared, riding an updraft straight up from the cliff face.  He tried to land but couldn't lose sufficient altitude to set down, so he said "Noch einmal" (yes, he was close enough to hear) and headed round again.  This time he managed to get his feet on the ground.

I headed carefully down the rocky road, then zoomed down the curvy paved road to Meduno.  The ride home is fairly flat, but there was a bit of headwind to contend with.  Overall a very good workout, with 1486 meters of climbing in 90 km.

Monte Rossa (1369 m) from Orton

Parapendio trying to land on Monte Valinis (around 980 m)

Orton (723 m), Piani di Clauzetto (675 m) and Monte Valinis (988 m)

The gradient to Clauzetto, Orton, Piani di Clauzetto,
and finally Monte Valinis (note 16% stretches)

The detour via Celante to Clauzetto

The climb to Orton, descent to Gerchia, and climb to Piani di Clauzetto

Monte Valinis- note cliffs below end of the road, where
parapendio take off and land