Groedner Joch
aka Passo Gardena
Highest Point: 2121m
|
Western Approach: |
|
|
from Chiusa (516m) |
1605m |
37+1/2km
|
from Ortisei (1235m) |
886m |
22km
|
from Sella pass turnoff (1871m)
|
250m
|
6km
|
Eastern Approach: |
|
|
from Corvara (1522m) |
599m |
9+1/2km |
------
View eu_Gardena_pso in a
larger map
------
|
Groedner Joch seems to be the favorite pass of the Sella
loop, according to many cyclists. It's not quite as crowded
as on the adjoining Sella Joch up here, so the invitation to
linger a bit longer is stronger. Also the vantage point up
here is arguably the most interesting. You're a little
further away from all the brash cliffs and Kofels
surrounding the surrealistic Sella Pass, and from a distance
they seem even larger. On the Corvara side a spaghetti salad
of switchbacks is the main attraction.
Approaches
From West. It's not very far down the descent of the
Sella Joch, that one can turn right up the next pass, the
Groedner Joch. Three ramps lead to a straight traverse along the
Grand Champanil de Murfreit (2624m). Then it's a few spagehtti
like curves through the alpine grass and the top is reached.

From East. (described downwards) This side of the
Sella Massif is especially precipitous. That's the mountains,
but not so much the road. Instead the road has the most far
flung switchbacks of the entire Sella loop, in order to
negotiate the drop. Even the usually speeding motor cyclists
feel compelled to stop and pull out their camaras in order to
take picture of one another negotiating the turns. Meanwhile to
the back of the riders, the Sella Group shows its snowiest side.
There are a number of scenic benches on the descent that make
attractive lunch stops. Once entering the busy skiing town of
Korvara, every centimeter of real estate with a view is neatly
divided up for hotel guests, and labeled as such. The next
public bench that I could find is down in the valley, direction
pso di Campolongo.

Dayride
A first ride over the Sella Group passes, with an
addtional short approach, with lots of stops to take pictures:
Fontanac > Canazei > Sella
Joch > Groedner Joch
> pso di Campalongo
> pso di Pordoi >
Fontanac measured 45 miles with 6900ft of climbing in
5:0 hours.

back to Cycling
Passes in Europe
|