Passo del Cason di Lanza – challenging and frequently closed!

The Passo del Cason di Lanza, also known as the Lanzenpass, is not particularly high at 1,552 metres. Nevertheless, it is often closed. Where and why? And are there any alternatives? Find the answers here.

What is the problem with the Passo del Cason di Lanza?

The Passo del Cason di Lanza has been closed frequently in recent years. The problem lies with the eastern ramp. Some sections here are built close to the slope. The rock is also fragile and tends to crumble relatively quickly due to weather conditions. This results in breaks in the asphalt surface, usually in a longitudinal direction. In some places, only a narrow strip is passable. This is impossible for cars and dangerous for motorcyclists and cyclists.

This also gives rise to differing opinions on the passability of the Passo del Cason di Lanza. ‘Closed’, according to the sign in Pontebba, on the eastern ramp, and ‘it's okay’, ‘I drove it’, because the sign was ignored and a narrow ridge was found at the breakage points.

Alternative routes to Passo del Cason di Lanza in an east-west direction.

From east to west:

Just south of Pontebba, the eastern starting point for the Passo del Cason di Lanza ramp, there is another rarely used Alpine pass, the Sella Cereschiatis. This also leads westwards, via a small detour. The route passes through places well worth seeing, such as Amaro and, above all, Tolmezzo.

In Tolmezzo, you can head north again, through a valley, to Paularo, and from there reach the western starting point of the Passo del Cason di Lanza. From Paularo, the route continues westwards via the Passo Duron and the Forcella di Lius. There you reach the neighbouring valley, which leads to the Plöcken Pass (north, Austria), the Panoramica delle Vette and Monte Zoncolan (both west).

Alternative to Paularo: From Tolmezzo, a valley (via Sutrio and Paluzzo) also leads directly towards the three Alpine passes mentioned above. This avoids the Passo Duron and Forcella di Lius Alpine passes. However, the Forcella di Lius in particular offers a lot of driving pleasure with its hairpin bends.

From west to east:

If, as in the well-known cases, the eastern ramp is damaged, you can easily drive up to the pass from the west.

There is a turnoff just below the pass. This route leads over the Passo Poletin to the Straniger Alm. From there, you can reach the Gailtal valley in Austria to the north.

The Gailtal valley stretches from east to west, which is why you can continue eastwards here, parallel to the Passo del Cason di Lanza. For example, to the Nassfeld Pass. The only possible disadvantage for some is that the route is partly gravel, i.e. off-road.