Passo Croce Domini - Breno

Climbed just a couple of days after Stelvio this was supposed to be a gentle ride. It was not! This ride is tough but truly spectacular. The scenery is beautiful as you head toward the mountain head through the leafy (almost alpine feeling) valley. From Bagolino the steep sections are rewarded as you get in to valley and wooded sections. The road is quiet and often the only noise, apart from your rear mech humming, is the sound of a mountain stream. As you round the mountain head and disappear into the trees the road twists past the ski-lifts and snow fields - beautiful! You finally crest the ridge near the Crocedomini and there is a short descent, the wind was blowing straight into my face which was a real energy sapper. Traversing the valley there is a nasty steep rise in the open before finally cresting the Crocedomini. A downhill section to the cafe (watch the gravel on the corners!) is rewarded with a good coffee. We took the gravel track across the top but once back on the tarmac roads there is a fantastic 12km descent from Maniva back to Bagolino. A fantastic 50km ride - only possible with the support of a vehicle for the gravel part. Unless you have a cyclo-cross bike I would recommend Bagolino to Crocedomini and back

My personal climb rating: