Home » Italy » Mt. Marmolada loop in the central Italian Alps

Our Italy tour this year (April 1995) visited two places, the Dolomites and Garda Lake not far to the southwest. Our <a href=http://www.odyssei.com/travel-article/3560.html> Garda Lake excursions</a> are described on a separate page.

Mt. Marmolada loop in the central Italian Alps

Thomas Driemeyer
2005-10-16 10:04:31

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The picture (1) shows the situation shortly after we decided to give up and return to the road. It cannot relate the steep slope at the right and the immensity of the panorama. You'll also have to assume an expression of apprehension on my friend's face, looking down the rocky steps that led back down to the road...

The picture (2) was also taken on the trail and gives an idea of the dire consequences of slipping. My friend can be seen a little to the left of the center. The Alps are not inherently dangerous, but when the map says hiking trail they really mean it - expect a path that is so rough that it can barely be seen at times. Bicycling shoes with cleats for the clipless pedals are definitely not the right approach to a trail like this. It is easy to slip if the rubber happens to be worn down and you are walking on the bare metal.

Not that the scenery suffered because we returned to the roads. The picture (3) was taken about 45 minutes later. Gorgeous vistas opened to the left and right, and here ahead, all the time.

This picture (4) shows the station at the top of the Passo Pordoi, at 2239 meters. I found the ascent fairly tough after all we had done that day, there is a sequence of steep turns that wouldn't end even when the station was in sight. Another bend and another and another... But I made it and gobbled down whatever carbohydrates the slightly dilapidated restaurant could provide. I don't remember what I got but it helped. My friend who took the picture immediately got restless instead and began exploring side roads to some sort of monument. Oh well...

The rest of the trip was downhill, mostly. Traffic was light, but there were frequent turns and we couldn't just let go and blast down most of the time. Still, this was fun. Although there was a lot of snow near the top of the hill and all the way to Arraba, the road was spotless and perfectly dry. Also, it was astonishingly warm, even in April and despite all the snow.