Gampenpass
This is one of two named, paved passes on the plateau
between the dolomites and the Ortler Group of the alps. Even
though Gampenpass is higher than the nearby Mendelpass, the
later has the better views of the dolomites, while
Gampenpass is a better vantage point on the Ortler Group.
photo page
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01.(00.0km,291m)
START-END NORTH: start of Gampenstrasse south of
Merano.
02.(25.2km,1518m) TOP: Gampenpass
02.(32.1km,1235m) upper turnoff to Tret
03.(37.0km,1037m) upper end of Fondo. bypass turns
off to left and rejoins SS42 shortly afterwards.
04.(40.5km,968m) route from Mendelpass joins from
west, just north of Caverno
05.(53.5km,558m) START-END SOUTH: jct: SS43 - Via
per la Mendola in Demulo |
Approaches
From East. The road to the pass starts on the west end
of Meran. But coming from the downvalley area in Bozen, one can
stay on the high west side of the valley and climb through the
towns of Nals, Prissian and their castles and join the
Gampenpass road in Tisens. Once on the main route, the road
climbs in forest, opening far views onto the dolomite
area. The top comes as a surprise, and offers no views, nor is
it an attractive area. On weekends the sides of the road serve
as impromptu parking lot for the nearby Gasthof.
From West. (described descending) The really nice
mountain views of the Ortler Group are further down the pass.
They start a little bit above St. Felix and stretch down to at
least as far as Fondo. As you approach Fondo, deep limestone
canyons make up the scenery. In Fondo many cyclists turn back
uphill to climb Mendelpass.
But in order to get the full elevation drop you have to descend
further into the val di Non or val de Sol.

Pictures: First picture taken near the town of Prissian,
which is not on the lower ascent from Meran, but an alternate
approach through Prissian. Lower picture is a telephot shot of
the Ortler group as seen from a bridge near St Felix.

Dayride with this point as highest summit:
Gampenpass , Mendelpass:
Andrian > Tisens > Gampenpass > Cles > Fondo >
Rufre > Mendelpass >
Frangart > sp: 49 miles with 6100ft of climbing in 4:5
(VDO MC1.0 m4:9.6.2).
The last day on this Extended Tour with different start
and end points is on page:
Penser Joch
Gampenpass
(aka Passo di Palade)
Highest Point: 1518m
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Northern Approach: |
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drop
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from Merano (291m)
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1227m |
25.2km
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Southern Approach: |
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from Demulo (558m)
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481m
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28.3km |
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from upper jct to Fondo (1037m)
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960m
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11.8km
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~50m
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back to Cycling
Passes in Europe
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