Passo Pordoi (Canazei)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Canazei	2,239m	683m	12.0 km	5.7%	441	****

Climb Description

Passo Pordoi is one of the most famous cycling climbs in the world. The climb from Canazei is often included as part of the legendary 'Sella Ronda' loop. Although not particularly challenging by itself, the altitude and elevation of Pordoi becomes much more of a factor when it is included as part of a longer ride. For this reason it has long been a staple of the Giro d'Italia.

This is the slightly less scenic of the two sides, as much of the climb is in forest. However, the views do open out towards the top and there are fantastic panoramas from the pass itself.

Like many of the passes in the Dolomites, the Pordoi was the location of intense fighting during the First World War. There is a small museum at the top of the climb documenting some aspects of one of the lesser known fronts of the conflict.

Passo Pordoi is best climbed from May to October.

Roads & Traffic

The road surface is in very good condition throughout. There is quite a lot of traffic on the climb in the main holiday season.

But it is nearly all tourist traffic and there are so many hairpin bends that cars move at slow speed and are generally not much of an issue for cyclists.

Alternative Routes

Passo Pordoi can also be climbed from the east, starting in Arabba.

Nearby Climbs

Passo Campolongo

Passo Sella

Passo Fedaia

Passo Giau

Passo Gardena

Passo di Giau

Passo delle Erbe

Passo Costalunga

Cycling Holidays

Passo Pordoi is climbed on our Dolomites & Italian Alps cycling holiday, which crosses Northern Italy from Zoncolan to Mortirolo.

In the links below you can find out more about this and some of the other tours that we run in high mountains.