Foza - Valstagna

I have climbed Foza from Vastagna perhaps 7 or 8 times in the past 9 years I have been cycling on vacations in this region. It''s a great climb, similar to L''Aple d''Huez in that it''s mostly switchbacks up the side of a cliff. Be sure to look across the ravine and marvel at how people get to those farm houses perched on the side of the mountain.



Oddly enough I was there just the week after John Reay, the author of the other comment about this climb. And I also did Grappa right after him.



There is no water on the climb to Foza so bring all you need. There is a small cafe about halfway up but I have never been in it. I typically climb up to Foza, and head over to the top of Enego, about 10 miles away for my cafe and break.



The decent down Foza is VERY technical and all hairpin curves. More pleasant is the decent from Enego and then back along the Brenta River to wherever you are staying near Bassano.



Also from the top of Foza one can bike to Gallio and then to Asiago and down from their to Conco and back home.

My personal climb rating:

This was my first taste of a real climb in Italy. We cycled along the valley from Campolongo to Valstagna, where we stopped for the usual group photo. There was five of us on the ride, three of the guys had done the Foza before.

We turned left in Valstagna and it was virtually straight into the climb. This really is 14km of climbing heaven, once I settled into my rythem I just could not stop smiling. Twenty hairpin bends, give you that real alpine feeling. The village of Foza is a small place and really not to much to hang around for. We headed to Enego for a much deserved coffee, followed by an 11km descent back to the valley then a Team Time trial back to campolongo. The big climb of Monte Grappa was yet to come and this certainly wet my appitite. If you are in the area guys don''t miss this little cracker.

My personal climb rating: