SI-C A05-A

Stage SI-C A05-ALength: 23.9 km Ascent: 750 m Descent: 800 m MC/BC This stage leads to the far northeast of Friuli Venezia Giulia, to Tarvisio. From Valbruna, follow the paved road that leads to Val Saisera (you will be retracing the last kilometers of the previous stage in the opposite direction). After about 3 km, turn left onto the dirt road marked with the CAI 615 sign, and follow it to the Prasnig saddle at 1491 m. This involves 700 m of ascent, some parts being quite steep, but it is always bikeable. Be careful not to miss any forks/roads: the other one leads to the summit of Monte Santo del Lussari, which along with its small village is one of the iconic locations of the FVG, an important pilgrimage site also included in the "celestial path" connecting it to Aquileia. Here, you can stay overnight at the locanda al Convento - da Jure; a highly recommended detour for those in good shape... or take the cable car that starts from the village of Camporosso. Another uphill stretch leads to a viewpoint over the solitary Riofreddo valley, with views of the Eastern Julian Alps, and from here you descend on a steep dirt road (some sections with the bike in hand), with a gravelly and somewhat tricky surface, reaching the bottom of the Riofreddo valley, which you will quickly traverse until you reach the locality of Riofreddo at the junction with the Rio del Lago valley. Following the lightly descending paved road, you will soon arrive at Tarvisio, a lovely town served by train, with ample accommodation options.