This page is just a placeholder for everything related to my cycling adventures in Italy, Italian cols I created info pages on and those on my “Been There, Done That” list.
Giro d’Italia
Giro d’Italia master tag
Colle dell’Agnello – Col Angel
Colle Dell’Agnello / Col Agnel is number three on the list of highest paved passes in Europe, the Cime de la Bonette not included.
With 2,744 meters it has also been the Cima Coppi in the Giro d’Italia three times.
It was included in 1994 too, but so was the Stelvio that year. In 1995 it was also scheduled, but avalanches made it impossible to cross…
It is also Europe’s highest international pass, connecting France and Italy.
A not too busy road, where you’re not constantly overtaken by motor bikes or cars at high speed.
The pass out of the valley on the opposite side of the French end – the Izoard – is a lot busier for that matter…
Italy
Map with Italian cols I’ve created (profile) pages for, trying to give extra useful info and not just a profile card.
The profile of the track beneath the map is that of the Maratona dles Dolomites – zoom in to Corvara for more detail…
Umbrail Pass
With a summit at 2,501 meters it earns a top 10 spot in the list of highest paved passes in Europe and it is the highest paved pass in Switzerland.
The Umbrail was a side-trip into Switzerland during the Giro of 2011 and the start of my Giro of 2020.
I started the climb in bad weather during my Tour de Suisse 2019 too, but found it was blocked by a landslide some 5 or 6 kilometers in.
The Umbrail from Bormio is the same climb as the Stelvio, minus the final 3.3 kilometers.
Either end of the Umbrail can be cycled free of motorized traffic during the Stelvio Bike Day.
Passo di Giau
With a summit at 2,236 meters, the Passo di Giau doesn’t earn a high ranking in the list of highest (paved) passes in Europe.
However, with an average of 9.2%, the climb from Selva di Cadore is a tough one.
