Passo (di) Giau
Passo (di) Giau Height Climbing height
2236m 730m (Pocòl); 1025m (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
922m (Selva di Cadore); 1238m (Caprile); ca. 1424m (Caprile via Colle S. Lucia)
Difficulty Beauty
4 (5) 4 (5)
How to get there From the east one could start in the old olympic ski resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo (1211m) and it will be an ardous climb from there, with some higher steepness at the last part. One takes left at Pocòl (1506m). If coming down from Passo Falzàrego/Fouzargo one starts the climb from the east at Pocòl. From the west the still steeper climb starts at Selva di Cadore (1314m) or from Caprile (998m). The direct road from Caprile was closed for traffic in 2006, so one had to go via Colle S. Lucia with 129 extra height metres. The climb from Selva di Cadore is very steep with up to 14% here and there.
Other comments This is another of the classic Dolomites passes and one of the steeper ones. Good surface and beautiful scenery at the top, but not so much lower down. There is a nice old hotel at Pocòl (the one you go around if coming from/going to Passo Falzàrego), but I guess you can find cheaper accomodation at other villages (though likely not in Cortina). There is a bar at the top of the pass. Fill up water before starting out on this pass. There is water not far from the top on the west side.
[IT-BL-2236]