The Campolongo (1,875m) is an Alpine pass in the Dolomites, marking the border between Veneto and Trentino(-Alto Adige).
It’s located east of the Sella Group and runs between Arabba (Belluno) with Corvara (Trentino) connecting the Cordevole and Badia valleys.
It is also one of the passes (together with Sella, Gardena and Pordoi) included in the Sellaronda and in the Maratona dles Dolomites, a long-distance granfondo.
The long end – from Corvara – is included (twice) in the Maratona and in any clockwise loop of the Sellaronda.
Giro d’Italia
Between 1949 and 2023, the Campolongo has been in a Giro d’Italia stage 17 times, sometimes combined with other passes of the Sellaronda.
In 2016’s stage 14, the Maratona course was included as a tribute the 30th Anniversary of the event, albeit with “only” one Sellaronda in it.
It has obviously, considering its summit height, never been Cima Coppi.
La Villa
From La Villa, the long end of the Campolongo is 10.6 kilometers 4.3%.
The stretch most travelled pictured above, from Corvara, is 6 kilometers long at an average of 5.8%, with the steepest kilometer at 7.6% (max 9%) starting shortly after you exit Corvara.
However, there is an argument to be made for putting the start of the climb in Longega, which would make it more interesting.
The ascent would then be over 29 kilometers long, with some 850 meters of D+, which could make you think you’ll be riding a false flat 😎
I’ve done this end once or twice during my Giro’s of 2011, 2015 (prologue and stage 3) and 2020 (Maratona).
Arabba
Even less impressive is the ascent from Arabba: just under 4 kilometers, but at 7.1% which is just enough for me. Never mind the 10% stretch this end will throw at you…
But, if you want a more challenging climb, start down in Caprile.
That will give you over 25 kilometers to climb at a similar false flat average of 3.2%
However, from Cernadoi to Arabba there is hardly a net elevation gain, increasing the average of both tougher bits – from Caprile to Cernadoi and from Arabba – to some 7.1% too.
I’ve only done the bit from Arabba a twice: in 2011’s Sellaronda and 2015’s stage 3.
via Wikimedia Commons
