Blockhaus - Passo Lanciano - Fara Filiorum Petri

I rode this in the summer of 2011. We were really lucky with the weather because there was a heat wave in the area and the day we did Blockhaus it was very cool. The first part out of Pretoro is very steep but once you join the main road it is a nice constant gradient. But once out of the trees the climb kicks up a bit and once you pass where the giro d italia finished the stage in 2009,the road is a bit rugged with a few potholes. The last bit is narrow and very steep. It was very foggy when i went which made it very cool and nice to climb, so always bring a jacket or jillet(decent can be cold) but a really nice climb!

My personal climb rating:

Climbed the Blockhaus in June 2005 from Fara Filiorum Petri on what started as a beautiful summer day. Very difficult after Pretoro needed a lower gear (I had 42*23T)!! Long slog upto Passo di Lanciano then into heavily wooded part of climb until 3kms from Passo della Maielletta and first signs of snow! Continued up steep ascent towards transmitter aerials and heavy fog!! Then very steep section on poor road (with faded names of Eddy Merckyx painted on it), which eventually runs out surrounded by deep snow drifts and very dense fog and no signs of life at all, very desolate!!! Sound of thunder in valley below led to dangerous descent in extremely heavy rain and thunder and lighting, very scary!!! Back down towards start and on to coast at Pescara were sun had shone all day. Very good climb pity weather closed in to spoil view of snow fields and Abruzzo coastline. Highly recommend to those willing to try!!