Passo di Giau (Caprile)

Start Town	Altitude	Elevation Gain	Length	Gradient	Difficulty	Rating
Caprile	2,238m	1,176m	16.0 km	7.4%	1,080	****

Climb Description

Passo di Giau from Caprile is the more challenging side of this great climb - in particular the section after Selva di Cadore is unrelenting in its challenging gradients. The distinctive rock formation at the pass, and the fantastic views of the Dolomites has also made it very popular with cycle tourists and hikers.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the Giau has only recently become a favourite of the Giro d'Italia organisers. Despite first being used in 1973, it was until the late 2000s that the climb started to be used regularly in the race. Now it seems a permanent fixture, with both its scenery and difficulty surpassing that of the parallel Passo Falzarego.

Giau is best climbed from May to October.

Roads & Traffic

The road surface is in very good condition throughout. This is the quieter side of the climb. It carries some traffic throughout the year, particularly motorcycles - but it is rarely bothersome.

Alternative Routes

Passo di Giau can also be climbed from the east, starting in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Nearby Climbs

Passo Fedaia

Passo Pordoi

Passo Campolongo

Passo Gardena

Passo Sella

Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Passo delle Erbe

Cycling Holidays

Passo di Giau is climbed on our Dolomites & Italian Alps cycling holiday, which crosses Northern Italy from Zoncolan to Mortirolo.

In the links below you can find out more about this and some of the other tours that we run in high mountains.