The best traffic-free bike rides around Prato Carnico

In addition to its role as a cycling arena, Monte Zoncolan is a multi-purpose tourist destination. In winter, you can enjoy downhill runs of varying difficulty (ranging from blue to black). The Zoncolan Ski Area offers a variety of challenging trails (both fast technical sections and steep walls), making it ideal for slalom and giant slalom training. The location in Friuli-Venezia Giulia offers good snow conditions, but also a relatively quiet base – fewer tourists than in the Dolomites. Modern infrastructure (the Ravascletto–Zoncolan gondola and artificial snowmaking system) allows for regular training even in inclement weather. If you visit Ravascletto in winter, it's not unusual to see sections of the trails marked "chiuso per allenamento" (closed for training) – a sign that national teams or clubs are training there. In summer, you can enjoy a network of trails of varying difficulty—from family walks to challenging mountain treks. The areas are well-marked and have infrastructure (huts, rifuges, viewpoints).

I ascended the Zoncolan on a beautiful, sunny day. Entering the tunnel was like falling into a black hole in the wall of a steep driveway. The air inside was noticeably cooler, and the humidity increased. This sudden change in conditions accentuated the difference between the bright, exposed trail and the narrow, rocky expanse of the tunnel.

During the Giro d'Italia, these three tunnels are a signature feature of the route. Crowds of fans line the entrances and exits. The sound of cheering, shouts, and horns bounces off the tunnel walls, amplifying the noise. When a cyclist enters a tunnel, they enter a deafening, claustrophobic world where the noise is more intense than on the open road. When they exit, loud cheering erupts behind them, spurring them on. Fans line these areas to give the riders an extra boost of energy.

On the approach from Ovaro, at the top of the climb, three short tunnels await, located about 500 meters before the summit. Passing through them marks the beginning of the final, serpentine battle with the mountain. The tunnels are carved into the rock, paved, single-lane, and have basic lighting. Each tunnel is several dozen meters long and requires concentration, as the road is narrow and usually slippery. For the cyclist, it's also a moment of mental "breathing." Although the gradient still requires effort, the tunnels offer a brief respite from the steepest sections of the climb.

This phrase perfectly captures the nature of the Zoncolàn climb, where steep gradients of up to 22% force riders to push themselves to their limits, often beyond their capabilities. The name emphasizes that once the climb begins, especially in a race like the Giro d'Italia, there's no respite until the very top.

The inscription on the climb to Lo Zoncolàn, "Lasciate ogni speranza voi ch'entrate," is a famous quote from Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. It means "Abandon all hope, ye who enter." This phrase appears above the gate to Hell and symbolizes hopelessness and the impossibility of return for the souls who enter. In the context of cycling, this inscription is metaphorical, referring to the extremely difficult climb to Monte Zoncolàn, one of the toughest in Europe. It sums up the grueling effort that awaits cyclists.

Malga Tuglia is an alpine farm at almost 1,600 meters above sea level. It lies just below a saddle in a small depression, offering a magnificent view to the west of Sappada and the Dolomites.

A very romantic source of a large river. Benches around the spring invite you to take a break.