In Cycling Italy, Dolomites

My friend Leonard Zinn told me the Manghen Pass is a must-ride in the Dolomites. I missed it on my first trip to the Dolomites in 2016 so in 2021 it was first on the bucket list.

The pass tops at 6,716 ft, connecting the Fiemme valley and Sugana valley. I rode this climb from the south side as part of a five-pass loop that included Gobbera, Forcella, Brocon, Manghen, Rolle, which resulted in a 102 mile / 14,000 vertical feet ride.

The Manghen Pass has been featured in the Giro d’Italia several times, usually from the side I described above, probably because its a harder ascent that from the north.

Climb Stats

South Side, from Fiera di Primiero

  • Distance: 14 miles
  • Ascent: 4600 feet
  • Average Grade: 7.2%
  • The last 4-5 miles average over 9%
Ritchey Breakaway with passo manghen col sign
Ritchey Breakaway with passo manghen col sign.
Lovely Valley with river on way to Manghen pass

Lovely Valley with river on way to Manghen pass.

 

Down Valley view near Manghen pass

Down Valley view near Manghen pass

 

Marigold looking toward the Manghen pass

Marigold looking toward the Manghen pass.

 

Lower slopes of the Manghen Pass

Lower slopes of the Manghen Pass.

 

Goats and goatherd high on Manghen Pass

Goats and goatherd high on Manghen Pass.


Ritchey Breakaway with spring water fountain on Manghen Pass

Ritchey Breakaway with spring water fountain on Manghen Pass (lower north side).


Road construction equipment on Brocon pass

Road construction equipment on Brocon pass.

 

My salt stained legs

My salt-stained legs.

 

To ride or not to ride the Manghen Pass

Yes! This one is a real killer, as Sean Kelly would say. It’s steep, it’s very exposed (no shade), you must bring your water because there was none on the south side, but there is on the bottom of the north side (pictured). Thanks, Leonard, for this recommendation.

Strava Map from this ride

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