Passo Valparola (2192 m) sits in the Dolomites just west of the Falzarego, on the watershed between the Adige and Piave river systems. Its name traces back to ancient ironworks - 'valley of the iron furnace' - with smelting in the area dating to the Iron Age. During World War I the pass was heavily fortified: the Austro-Hungarian Forte Tre Sassi (built 1897-1900) still stands at the summit as a museum. From the Val Badia side, the climb leaves La Villa and rises through San Cassiano on a long, fairly even gradient, the classic Maratona dles Dolomites and Giro d'Italia terrain (first raced in the Giro in 1976).
Passo Valparola
2192 m · Italy
Also: Valparolapass
Closed in winter; usually open June–OctoberRoad SP24 (Val Badia approach via San Cassiano); SR48 on the Veneto / Falzarego side
Open on the map →The side
| From | Length | Gain | Avg | Max | Cat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Villa | 13.7 km | +804 m | 5.9% | ≈10.9% | HC |
From La Villa
Hors catégorie≈10 hairpin bendsfaces NW
0–4%4–7%7–10%10–12%12%+
The climb
Race history
8× Giro d'Italia · 1976–2023