Valparola pass

I woke up to the Cunturines peak glowing in the morning sun. After a slow breakfast, I started cycling up towards Valparola pass. The route curves around the Tofano group, another beautiful set of rock massifs, more striped with sedimentary layers.

It is a sunny weekend, and the first day of the summer break in Italy. So there are plenty of families and motorbikers about. The road is still empty enough for Schopper to feel the slope up.

Up at the pass at 2170 m, a brisk wind keeps my drink cool. I'm told it's all downhill from here - and wow, what a great downhill! The serpentine road is narrow and cuts through thick forest, with sudden views on to the Lagocernera group of mountains to the south.Read more