Passo di Praderadego | 925 METER | Gus Cison di Valmareno

The Passo di Praderadego (925 metres) is a brilliant but extremely challenging pass in the Belluno Pre-Alps. It links the Piave and Prosecco valleys near Cison di Valmarino (Province of Treviso) in the south with the Valbelluna near Mel (Borgo Valbelluna, Province of Belluno) in the north.

The Passo di Praderadego is a wild, isolated and technically demanding alternative to the surrounding Alpine passes such as the Passo San Boldo or Monte Grappa.

Due to its few but steep sections, it is not suitable for beginners. It is one of the steepest tarmac roads in the region.

Southern approach (from Valmareno), the moderate climb: Over a distance of around 8 kilometres, you gain approximately 670 metres in altitude. Although the average gradient is only 8%, it climbs to as much as 14% in places on the hairpin bends through the forest.

North ramp (from Borgo Valbelluna and Carve): This is a truly gruelling climb. The actual final ascent from Valmareno is only just over 4 kilometres long, but has an average gradient of over 10% – with peak gradients of an extreme 19 to 21%. Anyone cycling uphill here must stay in the higher gear range.

Although the entire route is tarmac-surfaced, the road surface – typical of such a remote mountain pass – is in poor condition. Particularly on the northern side of Belluno, the tarmac is often cracked, riddled with frost damage, full of potholes, and in places there is loose gravel, dirt or branches in the bends. Furthermore, the road is extremely narrow.

The big advantage: Hardly any traffic strays this way. At most, you’ll share the road with a few ambitious road cyclists, mountain bikers or locals. In summer, the dense forest through which the hairpin bends wind offers pleasant shade.

Tips: Right at the top of the pass lies a tiny, quaint hamlet with old stone houses: the mountain village of Pradarego. Once at the top, the traditional Capanna Kraun (or the small agriturismi in the surrounding area) invites you to take a break. Here you can enjoy excellent, authentic Friulian-Venetian cuisine.

From some of the clearings, you have picturesque views southwards towards the Treviso plain or northwards into the wide Valbelluna.