This is west of the Lago di Garda and the Dolomites. Sella dell’Auccia (2108m) is the highest paved pass on a spectacular mountain road from Lago d’Idro to Passo di Croce Domínii (1894m). From Breno (330m) in the north via Passo di Croce Domínii it is a gravel road for 8.7 km before the tarmac returns at the foot of Dosso dei Galli which is where this pass is located. It is a quite long and hard climb from any side. One could also climb the nice road from Bagolino via Passo di Croce Domínii. Most will arrive via the crossroads at Passo/Giogo del Maniva (1664m) on the south side.

The recommended approach is via Anfo (404m) by Lago d’Idro (the small road takes off just north of Anfo). This road is very hard, very interesting and very beautiful. It is sign-posted for the Maniva pass with a blue sign. This road has a gravel part for 1.5-2 km, which may be a bit dusty and stony, but is possible to handle even with a road bike as it is flat here (this section had a landslide in June 2004 – the route was cleared again in 2009). The gravel section is the most wonderful place on the whole road. For more on this see: Passo del Dosso Alto (1727m).

One could also climb from the west from just below Bagolino (712m) from Ponte Prada (611m) and Ponte di Destrone (737m) up a somewhat steep road via Passo di/Giogo del Maniva (1664m) to the pass. One could start already down near Lodrone (385m) on a small and nice road to Bagolino (via Riccomassimo and Cerreto (867m) (probably only directions for these villages)) or on the bigger main road (SS669) that starts further down at the Lago d’Idro (also nice) and both these roads to Bagolino descends a little before they climb again near or in Bagolino. The easiest and probably most boring approach is via Lavone (508m) to the west.

What you see in the clouds is the NATO radar station (it now operated by Italians since 1990, I believe). It was the for this station that the road got tarmacced. Bring water on the climb from Anfo as it is usually hot down there and no water before the bar at Passo di Baremone/Passo del Mare (1418m). There are two bars at the Maniva pass, but the “nicest” one will not give you any water (2003) and there are no more water before the bar at Passo di Croce Domínii on this road. The gravel road from the pass to Passo di Croce Domínii is rideable with a road bike without too much trouble. (Goletto del) Giogo della Bala (2136m) is the highest pass and point on the gravel road 1.2 km before/after Sella dell’Auccia.

Here a list of all the passes on the road from Anfo (391m) to Bagolino (712m) in order: Cuca Chetoi (911m); Cuca del Frinc (1288m); Passo di Baremone/Passo del Mare (1418m); Passo della Spina (1521m); Passo della Berga (1527m) (gravel); Passo del Dosso Alto (1727m); Passo di/Giogo del Maniva (1664m); Passo del Dasdana (2086m) (actual pass 2070m, 50m below on a path); Goletto delle Crocette/Goletto di Ravenola/Passo di Dasdana (2072m); after a descent to 2050m comes Sella dell’Auccia (2108m) (where the asphalt ends/starts); (Goletto del) Giogo della Bala (2136m) (gravel); Passo di Vaia (2114m) (gravel); Passo di Lavena (1992m) (gravel); Valico Poffa di Rondenino (2012m) (gravel); Passo di Croce Domínii (1894m) (asphalt returns); Goletto di Cadino (1937m); Goletto Gàvero/Goletta del Gaver (1796m).

See also: Passo del Dosso Alto, Passo di Croce Domínii, Goletto di Cadino and Goletto Gàvero/Goletta del Gaver
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