Just under nine kilometres are enough to step into cycling history: the Croce d’Aune, above Feltre, is the climb where one of the most important inventions in bicycle history was born.
Quick facts
- Start: Pedavena
- Finish: Croce d’Aune (1,011 m)
- Length: about 9 km
- Elevation gain: about 700 m
- Average gradient: 7.8% (first km almost 12%)
- Surface: paved, shaded by forest
- Difficulty: moderate
From Pedavena the road climbs steeply right from the first kilometre, with gradients close to 12%, before settling into a more regular pace, always shaded by forest that makes it pleasant even on the hottest days. As you climb, ever wider views open up over the Vette Feltrine and Monte Pavione, up to the pass at 1,011 metres, gateway to the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. From the Croce d’Aune you can continue downhill towards Passo Cereda, Fiera di Primiero or the Valsugana, extending the ride as you please.
Did you know?
It was on this very climb, in 1927, that Tullio Campagnolo, stuck because his wheel nuts had frozen during a race, had the idea for the quick-release skewer: out of that frustration grew the company that would revolutionise bicycle components worldwide.
