Valparola Pass, an iconic Giro d'Italia climb

Passo di Valparola is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.168m (7,113ft) above the sea level, located in the Dolomites in the province of Belluno in Italy.

Passo di Valparola

The road to the summit is paved and connects the summit of the Passo di Falzarego on the side of the province of Veneto, with the Val Badia, in the province of South Tyrol. The pass is the divide between the watersheds of the Adige, which flows west into the Adriatic Sea and the Piave, which flows east.
The pass has been climbed by the Giro d’Italia bicycle race. The road was built during World War 1st to supply the combat line at the Falzarego zone with weapons and ammunition, the road today is relatively good built, in excellent conditions easy to ride. Before World War I, there was only a trail over the pass, but the area was heavily contended during the war. A remaining fort has been made into a museum.

There are 3 routes to reach the summit. Starting from La Villa, the ascent is 13.9 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 802 meters. The average percentage is 5.8 %. Starting from Cortina d'Ampezzo, the ascent is 17.9 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 987 meters. The average percentage is 5.5 %. And starting from Pocol, the ascent is 13 km long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 702 meters. The average percentage is 5.4 %.