Cycling in the Dolomites part 3: Refugio Pederu (1548m +)

Well dear #cycling enthusiasts, as you could read in my previous cycling post : https://steemit.com/cycling/@arpiwi/cycling-in-the-dolomites-part-2-passo-di-gola-2294m
it seems that not all your plans to do a specific climb or route can be realized in the end.

This is another story from my cycling #adventures in the #dolomites : june 3 2014 Refugio Pederu.

The intention was to climb further from the end of the paved road at the Refugio Pederu (1,548m) over unpaved 'sterrata' to the other Refugio, Fanes (2.060m) and even a kilometre more to the Passo de Limo (2.174m). I came up with the idea because I had watched this MTB route on the website of the Pustertal. I also thought I should do that with my old, stripped Giant Expedition. The first part went very well, not steep at all and already a magnificent landscape (this is not my btw):

When I arrived at the Refugio Pederu it was time to locate the unpaved track.... but first enjoying the scenery:

Then I found this sign which wasn't very promising for my initial plans:

In english: the upcoming 'roads' are too dangerous and are effectively 'closed'.....

... but hey, I didn't came here to be stopped already, so I ventured further up the footpath. But soon I understood that it was indeed not possible. The 'road' was too inaccessible for my bike because of all the loose rock. Some parts I had to do walking but another 600m further I put a firm foot on the ground.

Too bad, so consider buying a real MTB ??. Anyway the climb up to Refugio Pederu (from Longega) is easy for everyone to do: 16km to rise about 525m, that's only 3.2% average. There is a short passage with a 10% grade in the beginning at the village of Mantena. But the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Here are the final pics:

The location of the refugio: copy/paste into google maps 46.638229, 12.041557

If you liked this story and the photo's, please upvote. Thanks people !