Passo Falzarego from Cortina: 17 km of steady climbing to the Lagazuoi

The Falzarego is the gentle giant of the Dolomites. From Cortina d'Ampezzo it climbs more than 900 m to a pass at about 2,105 m, but it is never steep. Its gradients sit between 5 and 7% almost the whole way, with two easy stretches to recover on. The tourism consortium of Alleghe and Caprile sums it up well: less demanding than the Giau, but not to be underestimated. Here is how the climb is built, how to ride it well, and how it fits into the best loops around Cortina.

The climb: Cortina, Pocol and the pass

Our track runs 17.0 km from the centre of Cortina at 1,209 m to the pass, with 925 m of climbing at an average of 5.3%, and its steepest kilometre is just 7.9%. Official figures usually start at Pocol, the junction above Cortina where the road to the Giau turns off. The Maratona dles Dolomites organiser puts Pocol at 1,535 m, and the Giro d'Italia's 2026 route gave the climb from there 10.3 km at 5.4%.

• Cortina to Pocol. After a flat first kilometre through town, the road climbs steadily at 6–7% for five kilometres up to Pocol, about 320 m on our track. This is the most consistent part of the whole climb.
• Pocol to the first breather. Past the junction the gradient drops to about 3% for a kilometre, then picks up again to 6–7% for two kilometres.
• The long flat. Between km 9 and 11 on our track the road almost levels out, at 1–2%. It is the best place on the climb to eat, drink and spin your legs.
• The last six kilometres. From km 11 the road climbs at a steady 6–7% all the way to the pass, the longest unbroken stretch of the climb.

How to ride it

Most fit amateurs take between an hour and a quarter and an hour and three-quarters from Cortina. On gradients this even, the Falzarego is a climb you can ride well rather than just survive.

• Ride it at a steady tempo. Around 75–85% of FTP suits most riders, held from the first ramp out of Cortina to the top. On a climb with no steep ramps, small surges cost more than they gain. Our guide to pacing a climb with power explains why.
• Hold the effort on the flat bits. The two easier stretches tempt you to freewheel. Shift up and keep the pressure on instead; you will gain more time there than anywhere else.
• Gear for comfort. A compact with a 28 or 30 at the back is plenty for the Falzarego itself; bring lower gears if you are adding the Giau. See gearing for climbing.
• Pack for the top. At over 2,100 m the pass is much colder than Cortina. Take a gilet for the descent.

War and the Giro

The Falzarego sits below Monte Lagazuoi, which the Alleghe consortium describes as a battleground of the First World War. South Tyrol's tourism site notes that remains of the war can still be seen around the pass, and that a cable car runs from the pass to just below the Lagazuoi summit, at 2,732 m. If you have time at the top, it is worth the ride up.

In the Giro d'Italia, the Falzarego belongs to one of Coppi's great rides. In 1947 Fausto Coppi rode away alone for about 150 km over the Falzarego and the Pordoi on the stage from Pieve di Cadore to Trento, and took the leader's jersey from Gino Bartali. In 2026 the Giro climbed it straight after the Giau, its second time above 2,000 m on the same stage.

Loops from Cortina

• The Giau–Falzarego loop. The Alleghe consortium describes a 49.4 km loop: the Giau from Selva di Cadore, down to Pocol, up the Falzarego, then down through two small tunnels towards Cernadoi and Pieve di Livinallongo and back via Colle Santa Lucia. From Cortina you can join it at Pocol and ride it the same way round.
• On to Valparola. Beyond the pass a road continues up to the Passo Valparola at 2,200 m. The Maratona dles Dolomites climbs from Pocol over the Falzarego to the Valparola, 11.5 km and 665 m in the organiser's figures.
• Traffic. On summer days expect cars and motorbikes. Ride early, and fit lights for the two small tunnels on the far side.
• More in the area. For a short, steep contrast, try the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and the Dolomites by bike covers the rest.

Ride it in Moveee Indoor

The route on this page is the real road from Cortina to the pass, with its height at every point. In Moveee Indoor your smart trainer reproduces the gradient, and the world around you is built from map data of the real place. The Falzarego makes an ideal long tempo session indoors: more than an hour of steady 6% climbing that rewards an even effort, with two easier stretches that test whether you can hold your power when the road flattens.

Your ride is saved with its power data, so you can see how even your effort really was. It runs in the browser and in the Mac and Windows apps. To ride it on another device, download the GPX above.

The short version

About 17 km and 930 m from Cortina, or 10.3 km at 5.4% from Pocol, to a pass at about 2,105 m. It is never steep, with two easier stretches, so ride it at a steady tempo and keep the pressure on where it flattens. At the top, take the cable car to the Lagazuoi or carry on to the Giau for a classic loop.