Passo Pordoi

Passo Pordoi is a mountain pass at 2,239 metres that links Canazei in Val di Fassa with Arabba in the Belluno area. Surrounded by the Sella group to the north and the Marmolada group to the south, it is known both for its hairpin roads and for its high‑altitude plateaus. Here road cycling, hiking, via ferrata routes and winter sports share the same setting. The pass is crossed by the Great Dolomites Road, an early 20th‑century project that opened these valleys to regular travel. Today you can still read the area through those two layers: the older memories of the Great War and the more recent story of the Giro d’Italia and of events that make this place a reference point for outdoor life.

Overview

Passo Pordoi stands on the ridge between Sass Pordoi and Sass Becé, in a landscape of plateaus, towers and wide basins. The road climbs in hairpins from both sides and reaches a large saddle where hotels, refuges and the cable car station form a small service centre. Around, the rock walls of the Sella group and the distant outline of the Marmolada glacier give a clear sense of altitude.

The pass is part of the Great Dolomites Road, opened in the early 1900s to connect Bolzano with Cortina through the high valleys. During the First World War these slopes were a strategic front line; today the small Museum of the Great War and the Ossuary preserve that chapter. Later, cycling wrote other pages: the Giro d’Italia has passed here many times, often choosing Passo Pordoi as Cima Coppi, the highest point of the race, with monuments dedicated to Fausto Coppi and Gilberto Simoni near the summit.

What to see

Sass Pordoi

From the pass a cable car climbs in a few minutes to Sass Pordoi, at about 2,950 metres. The route gains roughly 700 metres of altitude and arrives on a wide rocky plateau, where a panoramic terrace and Rifugio Maria offer shelter and services. From here you see Val di Fassa below, the Marmolada glacier in front, the Sella group around and, on clear days, distant chains in all directions. In summer you can continue on foot towards Piz Boè or along marked paths that cross the plateau. In winter this high point becomes a reference for freeride itineraries, to be approached only with adequate preparation and local information.

Museum of the Great War and the Ossuary

Near the pass, a small museum recalls the battles fought here during the First World War. Objects, photographs and documents tell how roads, trenches and positions were built in such a demanding environment. About one kilometre from the saddle stands the Ossuary, a stone structure that houses the remains of fallen soldiers. A short walk along the road or the path leads to this quiet place, where the view opens onto the surrounding peaks. Visiting these sites helps to understand how this landscape has been shaped not only by tourism and sport, but also by conflict and reconstruction.

The cycling monuments of pass Pordoi

On the ridge you will find the bronze monument to Fausto Coppi and a memorial to Gilberto Simoni, signs of the strong link between Passo Pordoi and the Giro d’Italia. Stages with summit finishes and passages as Cima Coppi have contributed to making this road a reference for cyclists from many countries. The hairpins from Arabba and from Canazei, with regular gradients around 7%, are often part of loops such as the Sellaronda or the Maratona dles Dolomites. Even if you are not riding, stopping by the monuments gives a clear sense of how many stories have passed along this line of asphalt.

Activities

Passo Pordoi offers a dense calendar of possibilities across the seasons. In summer the pass becomes a starting point for hikes of different lengths, from the gentle Viel dal Pan path to more demanding itineraries towards Piz Boè and the central Sella plateau. The Viel dal Pan follows an ancient route used by traders between the valleys; today it is appreciated for the steady track and the wide views towards Marmolada.

For those who practise climbing and via ferrata, the surrounding walls host equipped routes of varying difficulty. The Sass Pordoi cable car allows you to reach altitude quickly and then continue on marked paths or on classic traverses of the Sella group. Mountain bikers and road cyclists find here one of the key junctions of the Dolomite passes, often combining Pordoi with Sella, Gardena, Campolongo or Fedaia.

In winter the pass is integrated into the Sellaronda ski circuit and the Dolomiti Superski area. Chairlifts and pistes on the Sass Becé side offer runs with close views of the Marmolada glacier, while cross‑country skiers have dedicated centres in nearby localities of Val di Fassa. Families can focus on short walks near the pass, snow play areas and easily accessible refuges, while more experienced skiers explore longer circuits on the connected resorts.

How to get there

By car, you reach Passo Pordoi from two main sides. From Val di Fassa you follow the road that climbs from Canazei, about 12 kilometres with numerous hairpins. From the Belluno side you drive up from Arabba, with a similar distance and a steady gradient. In both cases the road is paved and generally kept clear, but in winter chains or winter tyres are often recommended; temporary closures may occur during heavy snowfall or specific events.

Public buses connect the pass with Canazei and with other villages in Val di Fassa, especially in summer and during the ski season. Services from Arabba and neighbouring valleys vary by period, so it is useful to check timetables in advance. The nearest railway stations are in the valley bottoms (such as Trento or Bolzano); from there you continue by regional bus or rental car towards Val di Fassa or Arabba, and then up to the pass.

Cyclists can reach Passo Pordoi along the same road used by cars, choosing times with lower traffic, often early in the morning or in the shoulder seasons.

Useful information

At the summit of Passo Pordoi you find hotels, refuges, cafés and small shops, open mainly in summer and during the main winter season. The cable car to Sass Pordoi has its own operating calendar, with hours that can change depending on weather and period. Temperatures tend to be cool even in midsummer, and sudden changes in conditions are common, so it is advisable to carry layers, waterproof clothing and sun protection.

Parking areas are located on both sides of the pass, but on peak days they can fill up quickly. The area is generally accessible on foot thanks to short, level sections near the buildings, though higher paths and trails often have uneven terrain. In winter, wind and ice can affect comfort and safety; checking local bulletins helps you choose the right routes. Water and basic services are available at the structures on the saddle, while more extensive facilities can be found in Canazei, Arabba and the surrounding villages.