Stage 3: From Primiero / San Martino di Castrozza to Pederobba
The third stage offers a stark change. From the mountain village in the Dolomites, the route leads to where the Prosecco vines grow. The start is 1500 metres above sea level and the finish is just 200 metres away. From the cool mountain air into the Mediterranean breeze. But simply rolling downhill is not the order of the day. Only on the first stretch from San Martino to Fiera di Primiero and further out of the Primiero valley are the legs allowed to rest. This road continues into the narrow gorge of the Val Schener and through this gorge flat out via Fonzaso to Feltre. However, it is nicer to take the road out of the gorge over the mountains to Feltre or, more precisely, to Pedavena, a suburb. To Passo Croce d'Aune, the road winds its way up past fields and through quiet farming villages to just over 1000 metres above sea level.
There is more life on the other side of the pass as the route descends briskly and without any great flourishes into lively Pedavena. Straight ahead, you can already see the dark, wooded northern ridge of Monte Grappa, which you will soon have to climb. In Caupo, on the other side of the wide valley, the ascent begins in the forest, which is very pleasant in summer. Only further up does the forest open up and the mountain massif reveals its most beautiful side. Up here, the word "panoramic roads" is defined and once you reach the southern flank, you can even see the Mediterranean on a clear day. The roads are wild and unspoilt, winding through alpine meadows in the face of the summit, on which a mighty memorial to the victims of the First World War has been erected.
You can hardly get a better view than on this route. Coming from the north via the west to the south to the south-east, no scenic road is left out as you half circle the summit. Only when Pederobba, the destination, lies at the foot of these roads is the descent begun. At the finish, you can enjoy an espresso or, quite legitimately in this region, a Prosecco.
You can stop off here
The Pedavena brewery has its own modern pub, which the route passes right by. Before the ascent to Monte Grappa, the Bavarian Café in Caupo invites you to enjoy a snack or an espresso.
However, the Albergo Forceletto almost at the very top of Monte Grappa offers the most beautiful rest stop along the route. In a high valley, the Val Mure, just before the final descent is the charming Malga Mure. And if you have a spirit of discovery, leave the road shortly afterwards and try out one of the more remote mountain pastures, e.g. Malga Archeson, whose turn-off is signposted.
Shortcuts/variants for the 3rd stage of the TOUR Transalp 2023
A shortcut leads from the Primiero valley on the state road 50 to Fonzaso, where it rejoins the route. This would allow you to reach the ascent of Monte Grappa without climbing any metres. However, this is a main road with many tunnels, which is very direct but not very comfortable. If you want to skip Monte Grappa, e.g. due to bad weather, you can cycle round the foot of the Grappa in Caupo on the route of the 4th stage of the TOUR Transalp 2023 against the direction of the Transalp, but in a clockwise direction.
These are the 7 stages of the TOUR Transalp 2023
- Stage 1: Lienz - Sillian
- Stage 2: Sillian - Primiero / San Martino di Castrozza
- Stage 3: Primiero / San Martino di Castrozza - Pederobba
- Stage 4: Pederobba - Folgaria
- Stage 5: Folgaria - Kaltern
- Stage 6: Kaltern - Valle dei Laghi
- Stage 7: Valle dei Laghi - Arco
The 3rd stage of the TOUR Transalp 2023 as a short trip
If you are planning this stage as a day trip, you will have to take a taxi back. All providers are listed by the tourist office.
The stage as part of a round tour (2 to 4 days)
If you are planning a 2- or 3-day trip back to the Primiero / San Martino di Castrozza region, you can start by exploring the Prosecco region on the tracks of previous TOUR Transalps. Via the Prosecco stronghold of Valdobbiadine, you head eastwards into Valmarino until you reach Tovena. This is where the ascent to one of the most bizarre passes in Transalp history, the Passo San Boldo, begins.
The straights are exposed, the hairpin bends are tunnels cut into the rock - an extraordinary experience. Now you find your way via Trichiana through the wide plain to the small village of Mis. Here you head back into the mountains and across the idyllic Lago del Mis to Forcella Aurine (Gosaldo) and over the Passo Cereda to Fiera di Primiero. You can decide spontaneously whether you want to tackle the 800 metres in altitude to San Martino.
Do not miss
The summit of Monte Grappa is just a stone's throw from the route. It not only offers the best viewpoint. The imposing monument is also a reminder of the dark history of this mountain massif, which was subjected to fierce fighting during the First World War. The memory of this time is part of Monte Grappa.
Cycling and events
The Monte Grappa Bike Day takes place for the 9th time on 20 May. The atmospheric Prosecco Cycling tour starts in neighbouring Valdobbiadine on 1 October.
Info
All information on accommodation, services and sports facilities can be found on the tourism association's homepage.
The 3rd stage of the TOUR Transalp 2023 from Primiero / San Martino di Castrozza to Pederobba, 132.08 km and 2625 metres in altitude. Elevation profile and GPS data will be available for download from 18 June: If you are still thinking about switching from Touri to Race mode, you can find all the details about the race at www.tour-transalp.de.
